UBI^ARY OF CONGRESS. 



Ws^. itip^rtgy !f 0— 

ShelcO^ 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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^OLD SECRETS 



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AND 



NEW DISCOVERIES. 




FRANK M. REED, 
PUBLISHER, 

139 Eighth St., New York. 






^-tGa cVL^^es cVl^-?€x cVl ^!^^j€\ cVj^^re\ cVt^^e^c^ j^fei: 



Good Books Mailed on Keceipt of Price. 



The Model Letter-Writer— a r^,..r^,. i 

iiPipgi^iipSiis 

''S5.»S*et^°^Sel2^^^^^^^^ Book.-I„i, book coMains a o„„,ple 

/ "every one ot tlie questions. Alailed fc 

Leisure-Hour Work fnv TP,qi«« n . ■ ■ lurio cents. 

^C*:t'i^T^-»^ecian.andTheor?m'S^^^^ Flower and Shell 

canaaLa^toKrhour-^^ltle/,0^^^^^^^^^ ^^oo-^. -d fne t'hi? io^o^^Td? ^g^S^el^' 

Wwd Cbancros. etc , etc. Profusely lUustrated^f MaUed S cen^s ' ^"'^"'^'^'•"'^s, Decapitations; 

'"''"■■■' FRAI»K IW. REED, 

ISO FJibtb Street, New York. 



OLD SECRETS 



AND 



NEW DISCOVERIES. 



CONTAINING 



INFORMATION OF RARE VALUE. 



FRANK M. REED, 

PUBLISHER, 

139 Eighth st., New York. 






\n' 



CENTS. 

The Model liCtter-Writsr 15 

Old. Secrets a.nd Neiv Si^icoveries 50 

Preserving and Manufacturing: Secrets 50 

HouseTvife's Treasure 30 

Educating' the Horse 25 

tife in the Back Woods 20 

The American Sphinx 25 

Courtship and Marriag^e 15 

Iicisure-Hour Work for JLiadies 20 

Every Eady Her Own Dressmaker , 20 

Health Hints. A Book on Beauty 50 

The Amateur's Ouide to Magic and. Mystery 25 

Napoleon's Oracul uin 15 

Ventriloquism (with Instructions for Making the Magic Whistle) 15 

Love and Courtship Cards 30 

An Easy Road to Fortune oO 

The Eover's Companion 25 

Magic Photographs, or Spirit Pictures 30 

Magic Trick Cards 25 

Magic Dial for Secret Correspondence.... 25 

The Black Art Fully Exposed and. Laid Bare... 25 

HoTT to "Write Short-Hand 25 

HoTV to Talk and Debate 15 

HoTT to Entertain a Social Party 25 

Shadow Pantomime of Mother Goose 30 

Swimming and Skating. A Guide for Learners 20 

Spectral Illusions. A New Method of Showing Ghosts 50 

Singing Made Easy 20 

The Happy Home Songster 20 

The Fireside Songster ao 

Hoiv to Woo and How to W^in 15 

Our Boys' and Girls' Favorite Speaker 20 

The Complete Fortune-Teller and Dream Book 15 

The Dancer's Guide and. Ball-Room Companion 25 

How to Behave. A Guide to True Politeness 15 

Liaughiitg Gas. With Comic Illustrations 25 

Salt, Pepper and Mustard. A Book of Fun SO 

The Jolly Joker's Game-Bag. A Comic Book 15 

Secrets for Farmers 30 

The Sw^iudlers of America: Who They Are, and How They Work 25 

The Common-Sense Cook-Book 20 

Robinson Crusoe. Profusely Illustrated 30 

The Home Chemist and Perfumer 20 

25 First-Class Photographs for »1, or 10 for 50 

30 Artistic Gem Chromos for $1, or 12 for 50 



A BEAUTrPUIiLY ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUE FEEE. 



Addrees FI^^lSrK: IVdl. REED, 

139 EIGHTH STREET, NEW^ YORK. 



THIS BOOK IS 

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874, by 

F. M. REED, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 



Old Secrets and New Discoveries. 



Electrical Psycholog^y. — The most easy sure and 
direct mode to produce electro psychological communi- 
cation is to take the individual by the hand, in the same 
manner as though you were going to shake hands. Press 
your thumb with moderate force upon the Ulnar nerve, 
which spreads its branches to the ring and little finger. The 
pressure should be nearly an inch above the knuckle, and in 
range of the ring finger. Lay the ball of the thumb flat and 
particularly crosswise so as to cover the minute branches of 
this nerve of motion and sensation. When you first take 
him by the hand, request him to place his eyes upon yours, 
and to keep them fixed, so that he may see every emotion 
of your mind expressed in the countenance. Continue this 
pressure for a half a minute or more. Then request him to 
close his eyes, and with your fingers gently brush downward 
several times over the eyelids, as though fastening them 
firmly together. Throughout the whole process feel within 
yourself a fixed determination to close them, so as to express 
that determination fully in your countenance and manner. 
Having done this, place your hand on the top of his head 
and press your thumb firmly on the organ of Individuality, 
bearing partially downward, and with the other thumb still 
pressing the ulnar nerve, tell him — you can not open your eyes! 
Remember, that your manner, your expression of counten- 
ance, your motions, and your language must all be of the 
most positive character. If he succeed in opening his eyes, 
try it once or twice more, because impressions, whether phys- 
ical or mental, continue to deepen by repetition. In case, 
however, that you cannot close his eyes, nor see any effect 
produced upon them, you should cease making any further 



4 OLD SECRETS AND 

efforts, because you have now fairly tested that his mind and 
body both stand in a positive relation as it regards the doc- 
trine of impressions. If you succeed in closing the subject's 
eyes by the above mode, you may then request him to put 
his hands on his head, or in any other position you choose, 
and tell him, you can not stir them ! In case you succeed, 
request him to be seated, and tell him, you can not rise! If 
you are successfull in this, request him to put his hands in 
motion, and tell him, you can not stop them! If you succeed, 
request him to walk the floor, and tell him, you can not cease 
walking! And so you may continue to perform experiments 
involving muscular motion and paralysis of any kind that 
may occur to your mind, till you can completely control him, 
in arresting or moving all the voluntary parts of his system. — 

mesmerism. — If you desire to mesmerise a person, 
who has never been put into that state, nor in the least 
affected the plan is to set him in an easy posture, and request 
him to be calm and resigned. Take him by both hands, or 
else by one hand and place your other gently on his fore- 
head. But with whatever part of his body you choose to 
come in contact, be sure to always touch two points, an- 
swering to the positive and nagative forces. Having taken 
him by both hands, fix your eyes upon his, and, if possible, 
let him contentedly and steadily look you in the face. Remain 
in this position until his eyes close. Then place both your 
hand on his head, gently pass them to his shoulders, down 
the arms, and off at the ends of his finger. Throw your 
hands outward as you return them to his head, and continue 
these passes till he can hear no voice but yours. He is then 
entirely in the mesmeric state. When a person is in the 
mesmeric state, whether put there by yourself or some one 
else, you can awake him by the upward passes: or else do it 
by an impression, as follows: Tell him, "I will count three, 
and at the same instant I say three I will slap my hands to- 
gether, and you will be wide awake and in your perfect 
senses. Are you ready?" If he answers in the affirmitive, 
you will proceed to count "one, TWO, THREE!" The word 
three should be spoken suddenly, and in a very loud voice, 
and at the same instant the palms of the hands should be smit- 
ten together. This will instantly awake him. 



NEW DISCOVERIES. 5 

How to make persons at a distance think 
of yow, — Let it be particularly remembered that "Faith" 
and concentration of thought are positively needful to 
accomplish aught in drawing others to you or making them 
think of you. If you have not the capacity or understanding 
how to. operate an electric telegraph battery, it is no proof 
that an expert and competent person should fail doing so; 
just so in this case; if faith, meditation, or concentration of 
thought fail you, then will you also fail to operate upon 
others. First, you must have an yearning for the person you 
wish to make think of you ; and secondly, you must learn to 
guess at what time of day or night he may be unemployed, 
passive, so that he-be m a proper state to receive the thought 
which you dispatch to him. If he should be occupied in any 
way, so that his nervous forces were needed to complete his 
task, his "Human Battery," or thought, would not be in a 
recipient or passive condition, therefore your experiment 
would fail at that moment. Or if he were under heavy nar- 
cotics, Hquors, tobacco, or gluttonous influences, he could not 
be reached at such moments. Or, if he were asleep, and you 
operated to affect a wakeful mind or thought, you would fail 
again at the moment. To make a person at a distance think 
of you, Avhether you are acquainted with him or not, matters 
not; I again repeat, find out or guess at what moment he is 
likely to be passive; by this I mean easy and careless; then, 
with the most fervent prayer, Oi- yearning of your entire 
heart, mind, soul, and strength, desire he may think of you; 
and if you wish him to think on any particular topic in rela- 
tion to you, it is necessary for you to press your hands, when 
operating on him, on such mental faculties of your head as 
you wish him to exercise towards you. This demands a 
meagre knowledge of Phrenology. His "Feeling Nature" 
or " Propensities," you cannot reach through these operations, 
but when he once thinks of you, (if he does not know you 
he imagines such a being as you are), he can easily afterwards 
be controlled by you, and he will feel disposed to go in the 
direction where you are, if circumstances permit, and'he is his 
own master, for, remember, circumstances alter cases. I said 
you cannot reach his "Feeling," but only his "Thinking 
Nature," truly, but after he thinks of you once, his "Feeling 
Nature," or propensities, may become aroused through his 



6 OLD SECRETS AND 

own organization. In conclusion on this topic, let me say, 
that if you wish the person simply to think of you, one 
operation may answer; but on the contrary, if you wish him 
to meet you, or go where you are, all you have to do is to 
persevere in a lawful and Christian manner to operate, and I 
assure you, in the course of all natural things, that is if no 
accident or very unfavorable circumstances occur, he will 
make his way towards you, and when he comes within sight, 
or reaching distance of you, it will be easy to manage him. 

Hoir to charm those iv'hoiii you meet and 
love. — When you desire to make any one "Love" you 
with whom you meet, although not personally acquaint- 
ed with him, you can very readily reach him and make his 
acquaintance, if you observe the forgoing instructions, in 
addition to the following directions: Suppose you see him 
coming towards you in an unoccupied mood, or is reck- 
lessly, or passively walking past you, all that remains for you 
to do at that moment is to concentrate your thought and 
send it into him as before explained; and, to your astonish- 
ment, if he was passive, he will look at you, and now is your 
time to send a thrill to his heart, by looking him carelessly, 
though determinately, into his eyes, and praying with all 
your heart, mind, soul and strength, that he may read your 
thought, and receive your true Love, which God designs we 
should bear one another. This accomplished, and you need 
not and must not wait for a cold-hearted, fashionable, and 
popular Christian introduction; neither should you hastily 
run into his arms, but continue operating in this psychologi- 
cal manner; not losing any convenient opportunity to meet 
him at an appropriate place, when an unembarrassed ex- 
change of words will open the door, to the one so magnetized. 
At this interview, unless prudence sanction it, do not shake 
hands, but let your manners and loving eyes speak with 
Christian charity and ease; wherever, or whenever you meet 
again, at the first opportunity grasp his hand, in an earnest, 
sincere, and affectionate manner, observing at the same time, 
the following important directions, viz: — As you take his 
bare hand in yours, press your thumb gently, though firmly, 
between the bones of the thumb and forefinger of his hand, 
and at the very instant when you press thus on the blood 



NE W DISCO VERIES. 7 

vessels, (which you can before ascertain to pulsate,) look him 
earnestly and lovingly, though not pertly or fiercely, into his 
eyes, and send all your heart's, mind's, and soul's strength 
into his organization, and he will be your friend, and if you 
find him not to be congenial, you have him in your power, 
and by carefully guarding against evil influences, you can re- 
form him to suit your own purified. Christian, and loving taste. 

"Writing" on the Arm. — The conjuror's explan- 
ation was a great lesson in "spiritualism." I next asked 
him to elucidate the trick of writing on the arm. On the 
occasion of my visit to Mr. Forster, when the raps indicated 
the second pellet, he required the "spirit" present to write 
the initials on his bare arm. Mr. Forster placed his arm 
under the table for a moment, then rested it in front of a 
lamp burning on the table, and quickly rolled up the sleeve 
of his coat. The skin was without stain or mark. He pas- 
sed his hand over it once or twice, and the initials of the 
names I had written on the second pellet seemed to grow 
on the arm in letters of crimson. "It's a trick I do every 
night. It goes with the audience like steam," said the con- 
juror. "Very simple. Well, suppose a name. What name 
would you like?" "Henry Clay," I replied. Down went 
the conjuror's arm under the table. In a few seconds he 
raised it and exposed the bare forearm without mark upon 
it He doubled up his fist tightly so as to bring the muscles 
of the arm to the surface, and rubbed the skin smartly with 
his open hand. The letters "H. C." soon appeared upon it 
in well-defined writing ol a deep red color. "There you 
have it, gentlemen ; that's the blood-red writing. Very simple. 
All you have to do is to take a lucifer-match, and write on 
your arm with the wrong end of it. If you moisten the skin 
with a little salt water first, all the better. Then wet the 
palm of the other hand, rub your arm with it. Send up the 
muscles and the blood-red writing will come out. It will 
fadeaway in less than no time. If you look under the table, 
you will see that I have a little piece of pointed wood. I 
can move my arm under that and write the letters without 
using the other hand. But that's a trick which wants practice. 

Tentri]Of|uif«ni. — From the Latin ventri, from the 
belly, loquiy to speack. Uncertain with regard to the direc- 



8 OLD SECRETS AND 

tion of sounds, is the foundation of the art of Ventrilo- 
quism; therefore, the first step to be taken by those who 
wish to practice deceptions with the human voice, is to obtain 
a ready facility of directing the attention of an audience by 
narrating some anecdote or story, in which the narrator in- 
tends to sustain the characters. The next step for him to 
pursue is to go into the open field and practice daily, by 
imitating the sounds of the lower animals; also, the human 
voice in different individuals. Having thus perfected himself 
he must attempt to throw his voice in various directions, and 
after some practice he will find that the sounds are in another 
quarter than where he is standing, though far remote from 
the place where he intended them apparently to issue from, 
but with continued effort he will be able to locate all sounds 
he may make. It must be remembered in making the 
attempt to throw his voice in another quarter, that the mouth 
must be kept shut and the hps still, and that the sound must 
be made by the top of the windpipe; this can be done by 
drawing in the abdominal muscles. When the belly is drawn 
in, let the air rush out of the lungs into the mouth, and at 
that moment make the sound you desire. Some put a silver 
thimble into their mouth at the same time, but I do not think 
that this will facilitate the pupil. 

To make inag-ic Photog^raph^. — Take, in the first 
place, an ordinary print — a card-picture, for instance — on 
albumen paper, beneath the negative in the usual way, and, 
when sufficiently printed, let it be carefully washed in the 
dark room, so as to remove all the free nitrate of silver, etc. 
Now immerse it in the following solution, also in the dark 
room: saturated solution bichloride of mercury (corrosive 
sublimate), one ounce; hydrochloric acid, one drachm. The 
saturated solution is previously prepared by putting into 
water more bichloride of mercury than it will dissolve by 
shaking in about twelve hours. The print will gradually be 
bleached in this liquid, in the ordinary meaning of the word 
— that is, it will disappear; but the fact is, the print is still 
there — its color alone is changed, a double salt having been 
formed of mercury and silver, which is white, as many of our 
readers, who have been in the habit of intensifying with a 
mercurial salt, are aware. As soon as the print has quite 



NEW DISCOVERIES. 9 

disappeared, the papef is thoroughly washed and dried in the 
dark room; it is also preserved between folds of orange-colored 
paper, in order to keep it from the action of light, for the 
surface is still in some measure sensitive to light. The bleach- 
ing of the print — that is, its conversion into a white salt — is 
effected more quickly by keeping it in motion in the mercurial 
solution. As we said before, the print has not been bleached 
in reality — the substance which originally formed it is still 
there, together with a new substance, a salt of mercury. But 
the two salts of silver and mercury may be easily brought out 
and made visible by several solutions, such as sulphide of 
ammonium, solution of hydrosulphuric acid; in fact, any of 
the soluble sulphides, ammonia and hyposulphite of soda. 
The latter salt is used in preference to the others. Small pieces 
of blotting-paper, therefore, of the same size as the prints, 
are cut out and steeped in a saturated solution of hyposul- 
phite of soda and then dried. The magic photographs are 
packed, as before stated, between folds of orange-colored 
paper; the papers dipped in hyposulphite of soda are the 
developers, and may be packed between two sheets of com- 
mon writing-paper. The development of the image is effected 
in the following manner: place the albumen paper which 
contains the whitened print on a pane of glass, print side 
upward; on this lay the dry piece of blotting-paper that has 
been previously dipped in hyposulphite of soda. Moisten 
the latter thoroughly, then place over it a pane of glass, and 
upon this a weight, to bring the two pieces of paper into 
intimate contact. In a very short time the picture will appear 
in all its original detail, and of a sepia tone. 

To make egg^s of Pharaoh's serpentso — ^Take 
mercury and dissolve it in moderately dilute nitric acid by 
means of heat, taking care, however, that there be always an 
excess of metallic mercury remaining; decant the solution and 
pour it into a solution of sulpho-cyanide of ammonium or 
potassium, which may be bought at a good drug store, or of 
a dealer in chemicals. Equal weights of both will answer. 
A precipitate will fall to the bottom of the beaker or jar, 
which is to be collected on a filter and washed two or three 
times with water, when it is put in a 'warm place to dry. 
Take for every pound of this material one ounce of gum 



10 OLD SECRETS AND 

tragacanth which has been soaked in hot water. When the 
gum is completely softened it is to be transferred to a mortar, 
and the pulverized and dried precipitate gradually mixed 
with it by means of a little water, so as to present a some- 
what dry pill mass, from which by hand pellets of the desired 
size are formed, put on a piece of glass, and dried again; they 
are then ready for use. 

To make a candle l>urii all ii%lit. — To make a 
candle burn all night, when, as in the case of sickness, a dull 
light is wished, put finely powdered salt on the candle till it 
reaches the black part of the wick. In this way a mild and 
steady light may be kept through the night by a small piece 
of candle. 

To make a cheap Cralvanic Batteryo — i. Pro- 
cure about twenty copper pennies, (if worn smooth so much 
the better) or get som sheet copper, cut circurlar and of a 
large diameter, and the same number similar pieces of zinc. 
The latter may be conformed by the structor himself; be- 
ing very easily melted, it may be cast in a mold like lead, 
or it may be procured in a sheet, and cut similar to the cop- 
per. Then provide the same number of pieces of cloth, 
which must be soaked in a solution of common salt and water; 
or what is better, a liquid composed of one part of sul- 
pheric acid, two of nitric acid and sixty of water. After this 
is done, place one of the pieces of zinc in a tea saucer, and 
on it put one of the pennies, or pieces of sheet-copper; on 
this place a piece of cloth, and so continue making a pile — zinc, 
copper, cloth — until they are all piled on one another; tak- 
ing care to make the same arrangement throughout. The 
piece on the top, which will be a penn}% should have a cop- 
per wire, which, for some experiments, should be tipped with 
platinum wire soldered to it, and the lower piece, which will 
be zinc, should be treated in the same manner. From the 
ends of these wires a stream of the galvanic fluid will con- 
stantly issue, until all the acid is absorbed from the pieces of 
cloth, and although the apparatus is on a very small scale, a 
variety of exceedingly interesting experiments may be per- 
formed with it. — 2. Take a cylindrical vessel and put another 
of porous porcelain inside of it; fill the vessel with deluted 
sulphuric acid, and the space between the two with sulphate 



NE W DISCO VERIES. 1 1 

of copper (if you require to plate the article with copper;) if 
not a solution of the salt of gold, silver, etc., according to that 
which you. wish it to be; put a slip of zinc in the sulphuric 
acid, and attach a copper wire to it, and the other end to the 
medal or article you wish to plate, and immerse that in the 
other solution. Your battery is now complete. If you want 
the copper to be very thick, you must put a few solid crystals 
of copper in the solution; where you do not want it to come 
in contact, you must touch it with a little grease; if you want 
to take the copper off the article you must do it over with a 
slight varnish. 

To Plate and CJild ^srithowt a Battery. — A very- 
useful solution of silver or gold for plating or gilding without 
the aid of a battery may be made as follows : Take say, i 
ounce of nitrate of silver, dissolved in i quart of distilled or 
rain water. When thoroughly dissolved, throw in a few 
crystals of hyposulphite of soda, which will at first form a 
brown precipitate, but which eventually becomes redissolved 
if sufficient hyposulphite has been employed. A slight excess 
of this salt must, however, be added. The solution thus 
formed may be used for coating small articles of steel, brass, 
or German silver, by simply dipping a sponge in the solution 
and rubbing it over the surface of the article to be coated. 
I have succeeded in coating steel very satisfactorily by this 
means, and have found the silver so firmly attached to the 
steel (when the solution has been carefully made) that it 
has been removed with considerable difficulty. A solution 
of gold may be made of the same way, and applied as des- 
cribed. A concentrated solution either of gold or silver thus 
made, may be used for coating parts of articles which have 
stripped or blistered, by applying it with a camel hair pencil 
to the part, and touching the spot at the same time with a 
thin clean strip of zinc. 

To make a clock for 25 cents. — First you get 
a sheet of stout mill-board, such as is used by bookbinders. 
This will cost you from six to ten cents. Get size twenty- 
seven by twenty-two inches. Draw two lines the longest 
way equally distant from the edge and each other. This 
divides it into three parts of the same size. Now from the 
top measure off ten inches for the face, and then with your 



12 OLD SECRETS AND 

knife partly cut the board through the rest of the hnes below 
the face, and bend them back and glue together by putting 
a strip of cloth over the edges where they meet. Mark out 
the face of your clock, and make a hole for the hands. Go 
to your tinman, and he will make you a funnel-shaped spout, 
which you must glue on the bottom. Then make a spool 
like a cone — running to a point on one end — and eight inches 
across on the other. Wind a string on this cone, commenc- 
ing at the large end, and winding down just as you would a 
top. Tie to the end a conical ink bottle filled with sand. 
Make some wooden hands, and put them on the face. Then 
fill your box, now made, with sand, and when it is hung up 
the sand will run out slowly at the bottom, and as the sand 
goes out the weights lower, and turn the wheel, which makes 
the hands go around. It will depend upon the size of the 
hole at the bottom as to how fast it runs. You can paint it, 
and make it quite an ornament and curiosity in your house. 

SSmies for ©etecting" Counferlit l^Ioney. — r. Ex- 
amine the form and features of all human figures on the 
notes. If the forms are graceful and features distinct, examine 
the draper}' — see if the folds lie natural; and the hair of the 
head should be observed, and see if the fine strands can be 
seen. 

2. — Examine the lettering, the title of the bank, or the 
round handwriting on the face of the note. On all genuine 
bills, the work is done with great skill and perfectness, and 
there has never been a counterfeit but was detective in the 
lettering. 

3. — The imprint, or engraver's name. By observing the 
great perfection of the different company names — in the 
evenness and shape of the fine letters, counterfeiters never 
get the imprint perfect. This rule alone, if strictly observed, 
will detect every counterfeit note in existence. 

4. — The shading in the back- ground of the vignette, or 
over or around the letters forming the name of the bank, on 
a good bill is even and perfect, on a counterfeit is irregular 
and imperfect. 

5. — Examine well the figures on the other parts of the 
note, containing the denomination, also the letters. Ex- 
amine well the die work around the figures which stand for 



NEW DISCOVERIES. 13 

the denomination, to see if it is of the same character as that 
which forms the ornamental work surrounding it. 

6. — Never take a bill that is deficient in any of the above 
points, and if your impression is bad when you first see it, 
you had better be careful how you become convinced to 
change your mind — whether your opinion is not altered as 
you become confused in looking into the texture of the work- 
manship of the bill. 

7. — Examine the name of the state, name of the bank, 
and name of the town where it is located. If it has been 
altered from a broken bank, the defects can plainly be seen, 
as the alteration will show that it has been stamped on. 

'White'wash. — i. A fine brilliant wash is obtained by 
mixing "Paris white" with glue, in the proportion of sixteen 
pounds to half a pound of glue. The glue should be the 
white, transparent kind. It should be covered with cold 
water at night, and in the morning carefully heated until 
dissolved. The Paris white should be stirred into hot water 
until it is of the proper milky consistency for applying to the 
walls, and the dissolved glue added and thoroughly mixed. 
This recipe is considered one of the best, and has the merit 
of being inexpensive. — 2. The following is sent out by the 
Light-house Board of the Treasury Department: "The fol- 
lowing recipe for whitewashing has been found by experience 
to answer on wood, brick, and stone, nearly as well as oil 
paint, and is much cheaper: Slack half a bushel of unslacked 
lime with boiling water, keeping it covered during the process. 
Strain it and add a peck of salt, dissolved in warm water; 
three pounds of ground rice put in boiling water, and boiled 
to a thin paste; half a pound of powdered Spanish whiting, 
and a pound of clear glue, dissolved in warm water: mix this 
well together and let the mixture stand for several days. 
Keep the wash thus prepared in a kettle or portable fur- 
nace, and when used put it on as hot as possible, with 
painters' or whitewash brushes." — 3. Take a clean, water 
tight cask and put into it half a busliel of lime. Slack it by 
pouring water over it boiling hot, and in sufficient quantity 
to cover it five inches deep, and stir it briskly till thoroughly 
slackened. When the lime has been slackened, dissolve it in 
water, and add two pounds of sulphate of zinc and one of 



14 OLD SECRETS AND 

common salt. These will cause the wash to harden and 
prevent its cracking, which gives an unseemly appearance 
to the work. A beautiful cream color may be given to the 
wash by adding three pounds of yellow ochre; or a good 
pearl or lead color, by the addition of lamp or iron black. 
For fawn color add four pounds of umber, one pound of 
Indian red, and one pound of common black. For stone 
color add four pounds raw umber and two pounds lamp 
black. When applied to the outside of houses and to fences, 
it is rendered more durable by adding about a pint of sweet 
milk to a gallon of wash. 

Crold IiiBit«tioms. — i. Four ounces platina, three 
ounces silver, one ounce copper. 2. To lOO parts copper, 
inelt with six parts magnesia, three and one half part sal 
ammonia, one eight-tenth parts quicklime, and nine parts 
cream tartar, and, when fusing for some time, add 17 parts 
zinc, and stir it quickly. 3. Sixteen parts copper, seven parts 
platina; melt with borax and charcoal and one part zinc 
added. 4. Platinum, 1 6 parts ; copper, seven parts ; zinc, i part ; 
put in a crucible, cover with charcoal powder, and melt 
into a mass. 

Artificial ^oBcL — An American has discovered a beau- 
tiful alloy, which has been most succesfuUy applied as a 
substitute for gold; it is composed of pure copper, 100 parts; 
pure tin, 17 parts; mngnesia, 6 parts; tartar of commerce, 
9 parts; sal ammoniac, 3 '6 parts; and quicklime, i"6 part. 
The copper is lirst melted, then the lime, magnesia, sal am- 
moniac, and tartar are added, little at a time, and the whole 
is briskly stirred for about half an hour, so as to mix thor- 
oughly, after which the tin is thrown on the surface in small 
grains, stirring until entirely fused. The crucible is now cov- 
ered, and the fusion kept up for about thirty-five minutes, 
when the dross is skimmed off, and the alloy found ready for 
use. It is quite malleable and ductile, and may be drawn, . 
stamped, chased, beaten into powder, or into leaves, like 
gold leave. In all of wfiich conditions it is not distinguish- 
able from gold even by good judges, except by its inferior 
weight. 

Oreide CwoSdo — The best article is made by compound- * 
ing icur parts pure copper, one and three-fourth parts pure 



NE W DISCO VERIES. 1 5 

zinc, one-fourth part magnesia, one-tenth part sal-ammoniac, 
one-twelfth part quicklime, and one part cream tartar. Melt 
the copper first, then add as rapidly as possible the other 
articles in the order named. 

To take Iiiipressions Irom Coiiit^. — Make a thick 
solution of insinglass in water, and lay it hot on the metal; 
let it remain for twelve hours, then remove it, breathe on it 
and apply gold or silver-leaf on the wrong side. Any color 
may be given to the insinglass instead of gold or silver, by 
simple mixture. 

To print Pictures troiii the print itself. — The 
page or print is soaked in a solution first of potass, and then 
of tartaric acid. This produces a perfect diffusion of crystals 
of bitartrate of potass through the texture of the unprinted 
part of the paper. As this salt resists oil, the ink roller may 
now be passed over the surface, without transferring any of 
its contents, except to the printed paper. 

Counterifeit Silver, — Combine by fusion one part pure 
copper, twenty-four parts block tin, one and a half parts pure 
antimony, one fourth part pure bismuth and two parts clear 
glass. The glass may be omitted save in cases where it is 
an object to have the metal sonorous. 

Hunters Secrets. — The following secrets applies to all 
animals, as every animal is attracted by the peculier odor in 
a greater or less degree; but it is best adapted to land 
animals, such as Foxes, Minks, Sables, Martins, Wolves, 
Bears, Wildcats, etc. Take one-half pound strained honey, 
one-quarter drachm musk, three drachms oil of lavender, 
and four pounds of tallow. Mix the whole thoroughly to- 
gether, and make it into forty pills or balls, and place one of 
these pills, under the pan of each trap when setting it. This 
preparation will most wonderfully attract all kinds of animals, 
and trappers and others who use it will be sure of succes. 

Secret act of catching^ Fish. — Put the Oil of 

Rhodium on the bait when fishing with a hook, and you will 
always succeed; or, take the juice of smallage or lovage, and 
mix with any kind of bait. As long as there remain any 
kind of fish within many yards of your hook, you will find 
yourself busy pulling them out. Or, get over the water after 



1 6 OLD SECRETS AND 

dark, with a light and a dead fish that has been smeared with 
the juice of stinking gladvvin. The fish will gather around 
you in large quantities, and can easily be scooped up. 

To ISanish and Prevent ]fIof$<]|iiitoes from 
Biting'. — Dilute a little of the oil of thyme with sweet oil, 
and dip pieces of paper in it. Hang in your room, or rub a 
little on the hands and face when going to bed. 

To Keep Milk Siveet in the Hottest ll^eather. 
— Put a spoonful of horse-radish in a pan of milk; this will 
keep it sweet for several days longer than without. 

To make yelloir Butter in ^Vinter. — Put in 
the yolk of eggs before you finish churning. It has been 
kept a secret, but its value requires pubhcity. 

Circassian Curling' Fluid. — Into a pint of pure 
olive oil melt slowly a piece of beeswax about the size of a 
walnut; after which add a quarter of an ounce of oil of rose- 
mary and a quarter of an ounce of oil of Orriganum. 

The hair can also be curled by rubbing it with the yolk of 
an &gg, washing off afterwards with clear water. 

Sympathetic or Secret Ink.— Mix equal quantities 
of sulphate of copper and sal ammonia, and dissolve in water. 
Writing done with this ink is invisible until the paper is 
heated, when is turns a yellow color. 

Bealness. — To cure deafness, take a quarter of an ounce 
of shark's oil, ten drops of laudanum, and five drops of tur- 
pentine, mix. Put three drops in each ear every morning, 
and insert soft wool, so as to keep out the cold. 

Cui'e for Toothache. — Take Alumn reduced to an 
impalpable powder, two drachms, nitreous spirits of ether, 
seven drachms, mix and apply to the tooth. 

To Take Grease from Silks and Muslins. — 
Put a little powdered French chalk on the spot, over with 
porous paper, and apply a hot flat-iron. 

Cologne "Water.— One gallon of alcohol, halt an ounce 
oil of bergamont, one ounce lavender, one ounce lemon, half 
an ounce tincture musk, half an ounce oil of orange, and a 
little otter of roses. 

To Cure Corns and IVarts.— Galvanum, one 
ounce, pitch one-half ounce, litharge plaster two drachms; 



NEW DISCOVERIES. 17 

melt and add verdigris and muriate of ammonia, each one 
ounce; and apply over the corn or wart with a strip of leather. 
Cider Without Apples. — To 8 gallons of soft water 
add 8 pounds of sugar, 7 oz. tartaric acid, one quart of yeast. 
Put the ingredients into a cask and stir it up ; after twenty- 
four hours with the bung out, bung it up close; add one 
gallon of spirits, and let it stand forty-eight hours, after 
which time it is ready for use. 

Artificiall Honey. — Brown Sugar 10 lbs., bee honey 
2 lbs. ; hot water i quart, and mix ; then add strong infusion 
of slippery elm bark, one quart; cream tarter half ounce. 

SigriiaQs fotf Mandkerchier Flirtation. — The an- 
nexed system of signalizing will beyond a doubt become 
popular with all belles and beaux: — 

Drawing across the lips . . . Desirous of getting acquainted. 

Drawing across the eyes ... I am very sorry. 

Taken by the centre . . . You are too willing. 

Dropping . . . We will be friends. 

Twirling in both hands . . . Indifference. 

Drawing across the cheek ... I love you. 

Drawing through the hands ... I hate you. 

Letting it rest on the right cheek . . . Yes. 

Letting it rest on the left cheek . . . No. 

Twirling it in the left hand ... I wish to get rid of you. 

Twirling it in the right hand ... I love another. 

Folding it ... I wish to speak with you. 

Over the shoulders . . . Follow me. 

Opposite corners in both hands . . . Wait for me. 

Drawing across the forehead . . . We are watched. 

Placing it on the right ear . . . You are changed. 

Placing it on the left ear ... I have a message for you. 

Letting it remain on the eye . . . You are cruel. 

Winding it around the fore finger ... I am engaged 

Winding it around the third finger ... I am married. 

SaJve for chapped Hands and liips. — The fol- 
lowing is a well tested, excellent remedy for chapped hands, 
and sores of this nature: Put together equal weights of fresh, 
unsalted butter, mutton tallow, beeswax, and stoned raisins; 
simmer until the raisins are done to a crisp, but not burned. 
Strain and pour into cups to cool. Rub the hands thoroughly 



1 8 OLD SECRETS AND 

with it, and though they will smart at first, they will soon 
feel comfortable and heal quickly. 

8taiiiT»eriiig'. — This silly and disagreeable habit, caus- 
ed generally by mimicing others, or of talking too rapidly, 
is best cured by speaking slowly, and taking great care to 
articulate every word distinctly, and without embarrassment 
or diffidence. 

Hotf to make liarg^e ]¥oses small. — Dr. Cid, an 
inventive surgeon of Paris, noticed that elderly people, who 
for a long time have worn eyeglasses supported on the nose 
by a spring, are apt to have this organ long and thin. This 
he attributes to the compression which the spring exerts on 
the arteries by which the nose is nourished. The idea occ- 
urred to him that the hint could be made useful. Not long 
afterward, a young lady of fifteen years consulted him, to see 
if he could restore to moderate dimensions her nose, which 
was large, fleshy, and unsightly. The trait, he found, was 
hereditary in her family, as her mother and sister were simi- 
larly afflicted. This was discouraging, as hereditary pecu- 
liarieties are particularly obstinate. But the doctor deter- 
mined to try his method; he took exact measurements, and 
had constructed for hear a "lunette pince-nez" — a spring 
and pad for compressing the artery — which she wore at night 
and whenever she could convenierttly in daytime. In three 
weeks a consolatory diminution was evident, and in three 
months the young lady was quite satisfied with the improve- 
ment in her features. 

Jockey Tricks. — How to make a horse appear as though 
he was badly Foundered. — Take a fine wire and fasten it tight 
around the fetlock, between the foot and the heel, and 
smooth the hair over it. In twenty minutes the horse will show 
lameness. — Do not leave it on over nine hours. — To make a 
horse lame. — Take a single hair from his tail, put it through 
the eye of a needle, then lift the front leg, and press the skin 
between the outer and the middle tendon or cord, and shove 
the needle through, cut off the hair each side and let the foot; 
the horse will go lame in twenty minutes. — Ho%v to make a 
hor^e stand by his food and not take it. — Grease the front 
teeth and the roof of the mouth with common beef tallow, 
and he will not eat until you wash it out; this in conjunction 



NE W DISCO VERIES. 19 

with the above will consummate a complete founder. — How 
io cure a horse from tJie crib or sucking wind. — Saw between 
the upper teeth to the gums. — How to put a young countenance 
en a horse. — Make a small incision in the sunken place over 
the eye, insert the point of a goose quill and blow it up; 
close the external wound with thread and it is done. — To 
€over up the heaves. — Drench the horse with one-fourth pound 
of common bird shot, and he will not heave until they pass 
through him. — To make a horse appear as if he had tJie 
glanders. — Melt four ounces of fresh butter and pour it into his 
ear. — To distinguish between distemper and glanders. — The 
discharge from the nose in glanders will sink in water; in 
distemper it floats. — Hoiv to make a true pulling horse baulk. 
— Take tincture of cantharides one ounce, and corrosive 
sublimate one drachm; mix, and bathe his shoulder at night. 
— How to nerve a horse that is lame. — Make a small incision 
about half way fr,Dm the knee to the joint on the outside of 
the leg, and at the back part of the shin bone you will find 
a small white tendon or cord, cut it off and close the external 
wound with a stitch, and he will walk off on the hardest 
pavement and not limp a particle. 

Kemedy for ©ruiakeiiess. — Tartar emetic 8 grains, 
and rose-water 4 ounces. Mix. Put a tablespoonful into the 
whole quantity of liquor drank each day by the patient, and 
let him take it as usual. Be careful not to exceed a table- 
spoonful or yi an ounce. 

To save Shoe SoSes, — It consists merely in melting to- 
gether tallow and common resin, in the proportion of two 
parts of the former to one of the latter, and applying the 
preparation hot, to the soles of the boots or shoes — as much 
of it as the leather will absorb. 

To take Fac="similies of Sig^nadtires, — Write your 
name on a piece of paper, and while the ink is wet sprinkle 
over it some finely-powdered gum arable, then make a rim 
round it and pour on it some fusible alloy, in a liquid state. 
Impressions may be taken from the plates formed in this way, 
by means of printing-ink and the copperplate-press. 

To copy Hetters '^vitBuoBst a Press. — A black copy- 
ing ink, which flows easily from the pen, and will enable any 
one to obtain very sharp copies without the aid of a press, can 



20 OLD SECRETS AND 

be prepared in the following manner: One ounce of coarsely 
broken extract of logwood and two drachms of crystallized 
carbonate of soda are placed in a porcelain capsule with eight 
ounces of distilled water, and heated until the solution is of 
a deep red color, and all the extract is dissolved. The cap- 
sule is then taken from the fire. Stir well into the mixture 
one ounce of glycerine of specific gravity of 1.25, fifteen 
grains of neutral chromate of potash, dissolved in a little 
water, and two drachms of finely pulverized gum arable, 
which may be previously dissolved in a little hot water so as 
to produce a mucilaginous solution. The ink is now com- 
plete and ready for use. In well closed bottles it may be 
kept for a long time without getting mouldy, and, however 
old it may be, will allow copies of writing to be taken with- 
out the aid of a press. It does not attack steel pens. This 
ink cannot be used with a copying press. Its impression is 
taken on thin moistened copying paper, at,the back of which 
is placed a sheet of writing paper. 

To oEbtain iVesli fiSloini Floivers in Winter. 
— Choose some of the most perfect buds of the flowers you 
would preserve, such as are latest in blowing and ready to 
open; cut them off with a pair of scissors, leaving to each, if 
possible, a piece of stem about three inches long; cover the 
end of the stem immediately with sealing wax, and when the 
buds are a little shrunk and wrinkled, wrap each of them up 
separately in a piece of paper, perfectly clean and dry, and 
lock them up in a dry box or drawer; and they will keep 
without corrupting. In winter, or at any time when you 
would have the flowers blow, take the buds at night and cut 
off the end of the stem sealed with wax, and put the buds 
into water wherein a little nitre or salt has been diffused, and 
the next day you will have the pleasure of seeing the buds 
open and expanding themselves, and the flowers display their 
most lively colors and breathe their agreable odors. 

Cheap Ice Cream. — Sweet milk, two quarts. Scald 
the milk, pour over four eggs, and stir well. Cool off and 
add sugar and essence of lemon or vanilla. Pour into a deep, 
narrow tin pail. Cover, and set into a wooden pail. Fill up 
the space between the two vessels with pounded ice and salt. 
In half an hour it will be fit to use. Keep thus in the ice till 
wanted to use. 



NE W DISCO VERIES. 2 r 

To Preserve Steel Knives Irom Rust. — Never 
wrap them in woolen cloths. When they are not to be used 
for some time, have them made bright and perfectly dry; 
then take a soft rag, and rub each blade with dry wood ashes. 
— ^Wrap them closely in thick brown paper, and lay them in 
a drawer or dry closet. A set of elegant knives, used only 
on great occasions, were kept in this way for over a hundred 
years without a spot of rust. 

T© Prevent Alterations in IVritin^ — If you 
should desire at any time to write a document in such a 
manner as to render attempts at altering or falsifying your 
manuscript impossible, bear in mind a hint given in a French 
paper-makers' journal, that by steeping paper in a very weak 
solution of gallic acid, you obtain a writing surface upon 
which ordinary ink makes a mark that defies deceitful erasure 
or alteration, by rendering any attempt at such easily 
detectable. 

Simple ITIethod of eopyingr Draiving^s. — Silvered 
albumen paper, after being washed, may be conveniently 
used for copying negatives as well as positives. It keeps for 
weeks, and becomes sensitive to light only after exposure to 
the vapors of aqua ammonia, technically termed "smoking 
with ammonia." Dr. H. Vogel has greatly simplified the 
latter process by substituting for the liquid ammonia the 
powder of carbonate of ammonia. He thoroughly impreg- 
nates a piece of felt or cloth with this powder, and lays it 
under the silvered sheet, separated from it by a piece of 
blotting-paper. The negative is placed on the top, and the 
back covered, ?.nd the whole is ready for the copying frame. 
One impregnation with the carbonate of ammonia serves for 
several copies. So very simple is the operation that Dr. 
Vogel has made use of it in public libraries for copying com- 
plicated drawings. He places the silvered paper, with the 
substratum of carbonate of ammonia and the drawing on top, 
between two plates of glass, and, exposing it to the light of 
the window, obtains a copy quite distinct in all its details, 
while he himself may be occupied with reading or otherwise. 
The copy obtained is, ot course, in white lines upon black 
ground. Such photographs merely require to be treated with 
soda when intended for long preservation. They are gener- 
ally, however, not designed to be kept a great while. 



22 OLD SECRETS AND 

To make candleisi trom I^artl. — i. For twelve 
pounds of lard take one pound of saltpetre and one pound of 
alum; mix them and pulverize them; dissolve the saltpetre 
and alum in a gill of boiling water; pour the compound into 
the lard before it is quite all melted ; stir the whole until it boils ; 
skim off what rises; let it simmer until the water is boiled out, 
or until it ceases to throw off steam; pour off the lard as soon 
as it is done, and clean the boiler while it is hot. If the 
candles are to be run you may commence immediately; if to 
be dipped, let the lard cool to a cake, and then treat it as you 
would tallow. — 2. To every eight pounds of lard, add one 
ounce nitric acid, and the manner of making is as follows: 
having carefully weighed your lard, place it over a small 
fire, or at least merely melt it; than add the acid, and mould 
the same as tallow, and you have a clear, beautiful candle. 
In order to make them resemble bona lide tallow candles, you 
have only to add a small proportion of pure beeswax. 

To Bore holes in Glass. — Any hard steel tool will 
cut glass with great facility when kept freely wet with cam- 
phor dissolved in turpentine. A drill-bow may be used, or 
even the hand alone. A hole bored may be readily enlarged 
by a round file. The ragged edges of glass vessels may, also 
be thus easily smoothed by a flat file. Flat window glass 
can readily be sawed by a watch spring saw by aid of this 
solution. In short, the most brittle glass can be wrought 
almost as easily as brass by the use of cutting tools kept 
constantly moist with camphorized oil of turpentine. 

To Etch upon Crlass. — Procure several thick, clear 
pieces of crown glass, and immerse them in melted wax, so 
that each may receive a complete coating, or pour over them 
a solution of wax in benzine. Wlien perfectly cold draw on 
them, with a fine steel point, flowers, trees, houses, portraits, etc. 
Whatever parts of the drawing are intended to be corroded 
with the acid should be perfectly free from the least particle 
of wax. When all these drawings are finished the pieces of 
glass must be immersed one by one in a square leaden box 
or receiver, where they are to be submitted to the action of 
hydrofluoric acid gas, made by acting on powdered fluor-spar 
by concentrated sulphuric acid. When the glasses are suffi- 
ciently corroded they are to be taken out, and the wax is to 



N£IV DISCOVERIES. 23: 

be removed by first dipping them in warm and then in hot 
water, or by washing with turpentine or benzine. Various, 
colors may be applied to the corroded parts of the glass, 
whereby a very fine painting may be executed. In the 
same manner sentences and initials of names may be etched 
on wine-glasses, tumblers, etc. 

Hou^ to Aiscertain the 8tate of the Liiii^s. — 

Persons desirious of ascertaining the true state of their lungs, 
are directed to draw in as much breath as they conveniently 
can; they are then to count as far as they are able, in a slow 
and audible voice, without drawing in more breath. The 
number of seconds they can continue counting must be care- 
fully observed; in a consumtive the time does not exceed 
ten, and is frequently less then six seconds; in pleurisy and 
pneumonia it ranges from nine to four seconds. When the 
lungs are in a sound condition, the time will range as high 
as from twenty to thirty-five seconds. 

Cheiiiieal W^ashiiig Preparation. — Take a ^^ of 
a pound of soap, a 34^ of a pound of soda, and a jE^^ of a pound 
of quicklime. Cut up the soap, and dissolve it in i quart of 
boiling water; pour i quart of boiling water over the soda, 
and 3 quarts of boiling water upon the quicklime. The lime 
must be quick and fresh; if it is good, it will bubble up on 
pouring the hot water upon it. Each must be prepared in 
separate vessels. The lime must settle so as to leave the 
water on the top perfectly clear; then strain it carefully (not 
disturbing the settlings), into the washboiler with the soda 
and soap; let it scald long enough to dissolve the soap; then 
add 6 gallons of soap water. The clothes must be put in soak 
over night, after rubbing soap upon the dirtiest parts of them. 
After having the above in readiness, wring out the clothes 
which have been put in soak, put them on to boil, and let 
each lot boil half an hour; the same water will answer for 
the whole washing. After boiling each lot hall an hour, drain 
them from the boiling water, put them in a tub, and pour 
upon them two or three pailfuls of clear, hot water; after this 
they will want but very little rubbing; then rinse through 
two waters, bluing the last. When dried, they will be a 
beautiful white. After washing the cleanest part of the 
white clothes, take 2 pails of the suds in which they have 



24 OLD SECRETS AND 

been washed, put it over the fire and scald, and this will 
wash all the flannels and colored clothes, without any extra 
soap. The white flannels, after being well washed in the 
suds, will require to be scalded by turning on a teakettle ol 
boiling water. 

Cure for 81eeplessnesis. — Go without supper. If 
accustomed to drink tea, take none in the latter part of the 
day, and gradually leave it off altogether. Spend some hours 
of the afternoon in the open air ; avoid everything calculated 
to excite the mind in the latter part of the day, sedulously 
putting away all thought and talk about business; seek 
cheerful, but not boisterous sociability — that which is, sedative 
rather than that which is exciting ; have the sleeping room 
well ventilated; avoid sleeping on feathers; at night lay off 
all garments worn during the day and put on fresh ones ; 
sleep alone; and getting into bed take a comfortable position 
and determinedly keep it till sleep comes, compelling your- 
self to avoid tossing and tumbling, and fidgeting about. 
Learn to control your mental activities ; when you get to 
bed stop thinking ; if your thoughts begin to wander in any 
direction, bring them back and hold them steadily to a fixed 
point. Keep this up till you become master of your 
thoughts. Then in all directions seek to bring the entire system 
under the control of the laws of life and health, and be patient. 
Sleeplessness is a thing not to be overcome in a day, any 
more than rheumatism or bronchitis. If you find yourself 
inclined to wake up at a regular hour in the night and remain 
awake, you can break up the habit in three days, by getting 
up as soon as you wake, and not going to sleep again until 
your usual hour for retiring; or retire two hours later, and 
rise two hours earlier, for three days in succession not sleep- 
ing a moment in the daytime. Nervous persons, who are 
troubled with wakefulness and excitability, usually have a 
strong tendency of blood to the brain, with cold extremities. 
The pressure of the blood on the brain keeps it in a stimulant 
or wakeful state, and the pulsations in the head are often 
painful. Let such rise, and chafe the body and extremities 
with a brush or towel, or rub smartly with the hands to 
promote circulation and withdraw the excessive amount of 
blood from the brain, and they will fall asleep in a few mo- 



NE W DISCO VERIES. 25 

ments. A cold bath, or a sponge bath and rubbing, or a 
good run, or a rapid walk in the open air, or going up and 
down stairs a few times just before retiring, will aid in 
equalizing circulation and promoting sleep. 

Railroad Nig-nalis. — The varieties of the "toot" of 
the locomotive, and gyrations of the arms of the conductors 
by day, or lanterns by night, are about as intelligent to most 
people as first-class Choctaw. The following will give the 
reader a correct idea of their signification: 

One whistle — "Down brakes." 

Two whistles — "Off brakes." 

Three whistles — "Back up." 

Continuous whistles — "Danger." 

A rapid succession of short whistles is the cattle alarm, at 
which the brakes will always be put down. 

A sweeping parting of hands on level of eyes, is a signal 
to go "ahead." 

A downward motion of the hand, with extended arms 
"to stop." 

A beckoning motion of one hand, "to back." 

A lantern raised and lowered vertically, is a signal for 
"starting;" swung at right angles or crossways the track, 
"to stop; swung in a circle, "to back the train." 

A red flag waved upon the track must be regarded as a 
signal of danger. So of other signals given with energy. 

Hoisted at a station is a signal for a train "to stop." 

Stuck up by the road side, it is a signal of danger on the 
train ahead. 

Carried unfurled upon an engine, is a warning that another 
engine or train is on its way. 

Waterproof Paint. — Ochre, 96 parts; lamp black, 16 
parts; boiled oil to mix. Then add yellow soap, 2 parts, 
dissolved in water, eight parts. Well mix, and apply two 
coats of this mixture with a paint-brush, at intervals of two 
or three days; lastly, give a finishing coat of varnish formed 
of lamp-black and boiled oil, well ground together. Sufficient 
boiled oil must be used to reduce the mixture to the consist- 
ence of a thick varnish. 

Healing;* Plaster. — Beeswax, i ounce; tar, 3 ounces; 
resin 3 ounces; melt together and spread on paper or muslin. 



26 OLD SECRETS AND 

Hoir to perform the Davenport Brothers 
iij^pirit Jflysli-S-ies." — The "manifestations" of the 
Davenport Brothers are produced in either a cabinet or a 
darkened room, and in no instance while the operators are in 
full view of the audience. 

In a darkened room their "manifestations" mostly consist 
of the thrumming (without music) of guitars, ringing the bells, 
rattling of tambourines, &c., while at the same time the in- 
struments are moved — as indicated by the sounds from them 
— with considerable rapidity about the room. The same 
sounds and movements also occur to a limited extent after 
the operators have been bound by a committee from the 
audience, the reintroduction of light disclosing them still in 
bonds as placed by the committee. They usually extricate 
themselves from the tying after the light is again extinguished, 
in less time than the committee occupied in binding them. 
During their entertainment they are also bound with ropes by 
what they assume to be a spirit power, without mortal assist- 
ance. To all appearance the tying done by "the spirits" is 
as methodical and secure as any that a mortal could do. 
Yet the very instant that darkness supervenes, after the knots 
have been examined by the committee, the musical instru- 
ments are sounded, and various "manifestations" made that 
could not possibly be accomplished without the use of hands; 
immediately on the cessation of which light is produced, and 
the "mediums" are ascertained to be bound as they were 
before the extinction of the light. Sometimes, while he is 
thus situated, one of the mediums will have his coat removed 
from his body in a few seconds' time. 

A performance of the Davenports, which many spiritualists 
have asserted to be an indubitable evidence of the exercise 
of spirit power, is as follows: One of them sits with his 
right side to the table on which the instruments are lying. 
The other takes a seat beside, and at the left of the one at 
the table. An investigator sits in front of the mediums, and 
puts a hand on the head of each; and, reaching up, each 
medium puts his hands, in separate places, but close together, 
on an arm of the investigator. The light is extinguished, 
and sounds are made on the instruments, the latter being 
moved, and perhaps brought in contact with the investiga- 
tors' head. That gentleman is not conscious of any change 



NEW DISCOVERIES. 27 

in the position of the mediums. Their hands seem to him to 
remain constantly clasped to his arms, in which position 
they are found to be when the light is again produced. 

The mysterious cabinet in which the Davenports give 
their public exhibitions is about six feet high, six feet wide, 
and two and a half feet d^ep, the front consisting of three 
doors opening outward. In each end is a seat with holes 
through which the ropes can be passed in securing -the 
performers. In the upper part of the middle door is a loz- 
enge-shaped aperture, curtained on the inside with black 
musHn or oil- cloth. The bolts are on the inside of the 
door. 

As preliminary to the " manifestations," and in order that 
it may not be supposed that they are the operators, the 
mediums submit to being bound by a committee from the 
audience. The doors are then closed and bolted, it being 
necessary for the mortal manager to reach through the aper- 
ture to secure the middle door. A tremendous racket is 
soon made in the cabinet, the noise of the musical instruments 
being combined with a general whang banging; and sometimes 
people in the audience think they can distinguish the sound 
of a cloven hoof kicking things around inside the structure 
which encloses the mediums. 

Usually, after the first performance, the doors of the cabinet 
are opened, and the commitees requested to observe that the 
operators are still bound; but sometimes there is an interval 
just before the opening of the door, in which a rattling of 
the ropes is heard, and then the mediums walk forth, free. 
If they are observed by the committee before the ropes are 
removed from them, the doors are again closed till the untying 
is accomplished. 

Being again enclosed in the cabinet, the young men are 
bound by what they assert to be a spirit power, during the 
exercise of which they are passive. The "spirit tying" is 
submitted for examination to the committee, by whom it is 
pronounced to be apparently so secure as to preclude the 
possibility of the mediums, being able to use their hands. 
No sooner are the doors closed, however, than hands are 
seen at the aperture in the middle door. These hands are 
visible for but an instant at a time, and with a rapid vibratory 
movement while in view, so that it would not be possibly for 



28 OLD SECRETS AND 

the observer to identify them as belonging to the mediums, 
however positively he might believe them to be theirs. 

Immediately on the disapearance of the hands from the 
aperture, the cabinet doors are opened, and the committee, 
after an examination, report the mediums to be still bound. 
The doors are again closed, and instantly "the spirits" strike 
up a lively tune on a violin, with a bell and tambourine ac- 
companiment. 

That the audience may be still more profoundly impressed 
with the wonderful powers of the young men, they sometimes 
request that flour be placed in their hands, as a security, in 
addition to the "spirit tying," against their being able to use 
those members. Their request beihg compUed with, a hand 
or two is shown at the aperture, some noises are made on 
the musical instruments, and then the mediums exhibit the 
flour still in their hands, with none spilled on their clothing 
or the floor. 

Sometimes they permit one of the committee to sit in the 
cabinet with them, for a short time, while they are bound, 
but he, too must be bound, with his right hand secured to 
one medium's shoulder, and his left hand to the other me- 
dium's knees. The lights in the hall are then turned down so 
that it is quite dark in the cabinet. The gentleman in con- 
tact with the mediums is banged over the head with an 
instrument of music, his hair is pulled, his nose tweaked, and 
all together he is "pretty considerably mussed up." Being 
released from the not very pleasant position, and perhaps 
looking somewhat scared, he reports to the audience what 
has been done to him, with the additional statement that he 
did not detect any movement on the part of the mediums. 
"If not the manifestation of spirit power, what is it?" is a 
question which very naturally arises in the minds of those 
present. An answer is contained in the following explanations: 

In a darkened room, the investigators being seated by the 
walls, the mediums grasp the guitars by the neck, next the 
keys, and swing them around, and thrust them into different 
parts of the open space of the room, at the same time vibrat- 
ing the strings of the instruments with the fore-finger. 
The faster the finger passes over the strings, the more rapidly 
the instrument seems to move. Two hands can thus use as 
many guitars, and a tea-bell, clasped by the little finger of 



NEW DISCOVERIES. 29 

either hand, can be rung at the same time. Or one performer 
can sound a guitar and bell with one hand, and play an ac- 
cordion or concertina with the other, an end of the last 
named instrument being held under the arm against the body. 
In the darkness the auditors think the instruments go further 
then they really do; and the room being close, the sounds 
are echoed or reflected from the walls. 

When an investigator is sitting with the mediums at a 
table whereon musical instruments are lying, his hands rest- 
ing on their heads, and their hands clasped to his arm above 
the elbow, the medium next the table removes one hand 
from the arm without being detected, simply because the 
presence of the other hand, which is nearer the shoulder, is so 
great as to cut off communication by means of the nerves of 
sensation from the arm below. It is thus impossible for the 
investigator to determine whether both hands of the medium 
are on his arm or not. He thinks they are, because the 
sensation in his arm remains the same. In the first place, 
the left hand of the medium is put heavily on the arm next 
the shoulder, and the right hand quite lightly, close by the 
other next the elbow. Both hands are seen to be on the 
arm, and are presumed to be pressing with equal force. The 
light is extinguished, and perhaps the medium takes the 
man's attention momentarily from his arm, by suggesting 
that their feet be placed in contact; then it is that with a 
gradually increased pressure of his left hand the medium 
carefully removes his right hand, and while he preserves a 
rigidity of the muscles of his neck and back, so as not to 
move his head, he takes the guitar (which lies within reach) 
by the neck, and extending the body of the instrument as 
far as possible, moves it in a half-circle, vibrating the strings 
with his fore-finger. That the demonstration may be more 
striking, perhaps he hits the guitar against the head of the 
man Virith whom he is in contact. If he wishes to ring a bell 
at the same time, he can hold it with his little finger. He 
can sound, in turn, all the instruments lying on the table; 
then, carefully replacing his hand on the man's arm, he 
is ready to have a light produced. The other medium 
really holds on with both hand to the arm he has clasped, 
feeling sure that while he does so it cannot be interfering with 
the operations of "the spirits" at the table. 



30 OLD SECRETS AND 

Should the medium put his right hand on top of the ex- 
tended thumb of his left hand, with an appearance, to the 
investigator, of both hands being on his arm, the same results 
could be produced with less risk of detection; for the presence 
of the thumb, where the right hand was seen to be, would 
lead the investigator to suppose, in the darkness, that the 
hand was still there. 

If in their dark seance, phosphorus having been put on the 
instruments, you should see a phosphorescent light very far 
above the stage, you may take it that the instrument which 
is heard is not where the light is seen, but that the phosphorus 
has been rubbed from the instruments, and some other put 
on a piece of card-board, which is attached to a folding rod 
and elevated in the darkness, to the desired position. 

To the Davenports, the extrication of themselves, after 
being bound by a committee, is a brief and easy task. A 
simple "twist of the wrist" will convert a "square knot," 
usually considered the most secure, into two "half-hitches," 
through which the part of the rope they enclose can be easily 
slipped. With a little slack in the rope any ordinary knot 
can be made into a "slip-knot." It is hardly possible to 
bind a man without causing him pain, so that he cannot get 
a "slack" in the rope. The writer has been bound with 
ropes a great many times by people who were determined 
to make a "good job" of the tying, and not once has he 
failed to release himself, often in less time than was occupied 
in binding him. 

After the Davenports have been bound in their cabinets 
by a committee, and the door of the structure are closed, 
they immediately set to work to loosen the knots next their 
wrists and extricate their hands, which they usually succeed 
in doing in a short space of time. In some instances one of 
them will have a hand at liberty as soon as the middle door 
is bolted, which he exhibits at the aperture, to be followed 
shortly by other hands; then both the mediums do their 
"level best" in making a noise with such instruments as 
they have at hand. Speedily getting their hands back in 
the ropes and drawing the knots close to their wrists, they 
make some additional noise with one or two instruments 
which the)' had so placed as to be still within their reach, 
and then give a signal for the opening of the doors. The 



NE W DISCO VERIES. 3 1 

knots are examined by the committee and reported to be 
"the same as they were;" the doors are again closed and the 
operatives release themselves entirely from the ropes, untying 
every knot. 

Sometimes, after being tied by the committee, the mediums 
cannot readily extricate their hands and get them back as 
they were, in which case they do not have the doors open 
till all the knots are untied, it being a better policy for them 
to wait till "the spirits " have tied them before making a show 
of hands or torturing the musical instruments. 

The important point with the Davenports, in tying them- 
selves, is to have a knot next their wrists that looks solid, 
"fair and square," but which at the same time will admit of 
being slipped, so that they can get their hands out in a 
moment. There are several ways in which such a knot can 
be formed, one of which is as follows: A square knot is 
loosely tied in the middle of a rope, then the ends of the 
rope are tucked through, in opposite directions, below the knot, 
and the latter is then drawn tight. There are then two loops, 
which are left just large enough for the passage of a hand 
through them. The ends of the rope are then put through 
the holes in the seat, and tied beneath, and also to the feet. 
Lastly the hands are put through the loops, and the knot 
drawn close to the wrist, coming between the latter. No 
novice in tying would suspect from the appearance of such 
a knot, and without taking particular pains in tracing the 
direction of the rope in forming it, that it could be slipped. 
As the hands of the mediums when thus tied are at their 
backs, close to the end of the cabinet, the committee cannot 
have a very good opportunity to observe the most important 
knot. 

The doors next the ends of the cabinet are first closed by 
the manager, and as the mediums are then concealed from 
view of the audience, they strain open the loops and are 
ready to use their hands as soon as the middle door is closed, 
which one of them instantly bolts on the inside. Then their 
hands are thrust under the curtain, which hangs over the 
aperture in the door, and exhibited to the audience; but as, 
before stated, the hands are exhibited but for an instant at a 
time, and with a vibratory motion of them ; otherwise they 
might be recognized as belonging to the mediums. To 



32 OLD SECRETS. 

make the hands look large or small, they spread or press 
together the fingers. With that peculiar motion imparted to 
them, four hands at the aperture will appear to be half a 
dozen, or more, as two pennies, rubbed together between 
the balls of a person's thumbs, will present what appear to be 
the edges of three. 

A lady's flesh-colored kid glove, nicely stuffed with cotton, 
has sometimes been exhibited as the hand of a female spirit — 
a critical observation of it not being allowed. 

These mediums once exhibited what they doubtless sup- 
posed would look like the hand of a negro; but it was of 
uniform blackness, palm and all. At one of their entertain- 
ments, when, in addition to the exhibition of " spirit hands," 
a naked arm was protruded from the aperture, an old lady, 
who, on account of the dimness of her vision, was permitted 
to stand close by the cabinet, saw," notwithstanding her 
defective sight, what made her exclaim, "Well, I declare! 
They must practice vaccination in the other world, for I see 
marks of it on that spirit arm !" When the "spirit arm" was 
shown at another time, rope-marks were seen on the wrist! 

It takes these mediums but a few seconds to get their 
hands back into the loops, and draw the knots close to their 
wrists, ready to be examined by the committee. 

In making the music, one medium holds the violin in the 
manner usual with most players of that instrument, and with 
the little finger of the bow hand he clasps a bell, which rings 
in time with the music. The other medium beats the tam- 
bourine on his head or knees with one hand, while his other 
hand is engaged in making a noise on something else. 

The performances of these young men are interesting on 
account of the ingenuity and expertness exercised by them, 
and would not be in the least objectionable were it noi for 
their pretended "mediumship." 



o £ o 



; © o 



If, "in the strug-gle for existence." only the "fittest survive," how care- 
ful should every one of us be to make ourselves fit to be perpetuated P Hovr 
shall •we do it P This Circular describes a Book that helps to an ans"wer. 
Head it carefully. Examine it thoroug-hly. Judge it not hastily. 




A CIRCULAR 



DESCRIBING 



THE SCIENCE OF A NEW LIFE. 

BY JOHN COWAN, M. D. 
A Book well worth Possessing by every thoughtful Man and Woman. 

PUBLISHED BY 

COWAN & CO., 139 EIGHTH STREET, NEW YORK, 

(Betw^efen Broadwa^t and FourtU Avenue.) 



As it is easier to generate a race of healthy men and -women than to 
re-generate the diseased and discordant humanity we now^ have, I heartily 
recommend the study of The Science of a TSew Liife to every father and 
mother in the land." Elizabeth Caby Stantos. 



S. TO <P 



5*0 



P s 



*■ 



GOOD PAY FOR GOOD WORK. 

If yoti are out of employment or desire to change your present business for some other, you cannot 
taie up a business that requires less capital, is healthier, or will pay better, than that of canvassing for a 
good book, and of all the books in the market sold through agents, there is not one to be compared to 
" The Science of a New Life." Its aim is to do good. It meets the wants of the people and, therefore, 
will always sell where other books have no chance. The demand for it is not of an ephemeral nature, but 
is steady and constantly increasing, and the book will sell for the next twenty-five years. One copy of 
the book in the hands of an intelligent family, will help to sell a dozen other copies. The business is not 
alone respectable, but the man or woman who circulates " The Science or a New Life " does more 
vital missionary work than can be performed in any other way. We have clergymen, school-teachers, 
merchants, book-keepers, farmers, clerks, and others, who are working with us in circulating the book, 
and who all feel conscious of doing good, and, at the same time, getting well paid for it. The business 
requires but little capital, is attended with no risks, and the daily sale of only a few copies amounts to a 
large sum in the course of a year. As a proof of how success may be achieved in canvassing for " The 
SciKNCE OF A New Life," we give the following letter from the Bev. E. S. Ceosbt, the original of which 
can be seen at our office ; 

HOW I MADE $70 THE FIRST WEEK AND AM NOW AVERAGING $36. 

Messes. Cowan & Co. 

Denr Sirs .-—In giving the following statements, I only do it in justice to yonr book, " The Science 
OF A New Life," and as an encouragement to others who may have doubts as to the splendid selling 
qualities of the book. I was educated for the church, and successfully practised the calling of a minister 
of the gospel for some years, when my health completely failed me, and I had to retire from ministeral 
service. To regain my health, and, at the same time, live (I have n family to support), 1 tried farming, 
but failed utterly at that, lacking, as I did, physical strength. I then, by the aid of friends, started a 
small country store, but ignorance of the many details of business, aided by the miserable credit system 
in vogue in our part of the country, I had to sell out at a loss. After n good deal of hesitancy, I deter- 
mined to try book canvassing. My first book was a " History of the War," and I failed to make it a 
success. My next venture was on a book of passing interest, on which . did no better. I next tried 
canvassing for Bibles, but soon found that Bible canvassing was overdone, and that I could not make it 
pay me. At this time a circular of " The Science of a New Life " came into my hands. I receive so 
many circulars from publishers that I gave little attention to it at first. In fact, to tell you the truth, I 
rather looked with suspicion upon it. But, after reading it the second time and revolving the matter in my 
mind, I determined to write to you for confidential terms to agents. On receiving them, alter considera- 
ble hesitancy, I remitted you the $4.50 for the complete outfit, and, if you remember, I particularly asked 
you to send me a liberal quantity of your 12-page circulars. In due time the book and outfit arrived. It 
is the habit with many agents whose acquaintance I have made, to start right out immediately the book 
is received. This I consider a mistake. No man can sell a book successfully unless he knows thoroughly what 
he is going to sell. I read the book through from cover to cover. To say I was pleased with it, is faint praise ; 
1 was perfectly delighted. Here was a book, thought I, that was written with a whole-souled purpose- 
that of benefiting humanity— and I believed in it as thoroughly and sincerely as 1 did in the Bible. I 
said to my wife that I have at last found the book that I can and will make a success of. The jilan of 
my campaisn was soon formed. The book was so splendidly endorsed that I did not think it necessaiy, 
as usual with agents, to waste four to six days to get the names of the prominent persons of our town. I 
took a package of the circulars and delivered them myself direct to the persons 1 hoped to get a subscription 

from, telling them, " Mr. , I have accepted the agency of one of the most valuable, pure, and ennobling 

books over published — a book I expect to sell five hundred copies of in our town. Knowing that you will like 
to learn of it, I liave brought you a circular that fully describes it, which I will leave with you for a day or 
two. Please read it over carefully, and I know when I return for it, that you will cheerfully and promptly 
put your name down on my subscription for a copy." Something similar to this, depending upon the man, 
I said to each as I left them a circular. I used up all my circulars the first day. Next day I did not move 
out of doors, that ample time would be allowed the people to read the circulars. The next day was wet 
and muddy, but. notwithstanding this, I put on my wet day dress, taking with me my canvassing book 
alone (leaving tlie book itsclt at liome), and when I arrived back at home that night, tired, foot-sore, and 
weary, and counted my subscribers, I had forty-one genuine signatures for the book ! I said to my wife, 
if this is notsuccess I do not know what it is. In taking-orders that day 1 wasted very little time in talking. 
In fact, it is not necessary, for each person you approach, who has read the circular, knows all about the 
book. A few treated me rudely, one insultingly, but to such I pay no heed, simply telling them that 
" this is a free country, and that it is their privilege to differ as to the value and nature of the book," and 
pleasantly wish them a good day. Since my first day's experience, my success has been uniform and steady. 
I did not hope to do as well continuously as 1 did the first day. That would be expecting too much ; but I 
have been now at work on " The Science of a New Life " for nearly three months (I hope to work on it 
for three years), and I am more than satisfied with the profits I count" up every Saturday night. It seems 
to me you ought to sell an immense number of " The Science of a New Life " yearly, if agents and 
persons out of employment, as I was, could but appreciate the great value of the book and its easy selling 
qualities. The advantage it has over other books sold by subscription is that the circulars you furnish, 
will, when rightly distributed, sell the book with little or no effort in talking on the part of the agent. I 
consider it my great good fortune that yonr circular came in my way at the time it did, when I was so 
greatly discouraged. I'he sale of your book has infused new lite into me, fresh hopes, and unbounded 
faith in the future welfare and comfort of my wife and family. If what little I have said will eucourage 
any wayfaring man searching for " good pay for pleasant work," I will, in a measure, have repaid you tor 
the benefits I have received, and the prompt, liberal, and kindly manner in which you have treated me. 

Very truly yours, 
E. S. CEOSBY. 

KP* See pages further along for other letters from agents. If you decide on an agency, send for 
our Confidential Circular, and mention the tenitory you may want. If, before sending for " outfit," you 
desire to test the selling qualities of the book, we will send you a package of circulars for 25 cents (much 
less than cost after we pay postage). These circulars you can distribute among your friends, according to 
directions that go with tliem, taking what orders you can. In this way you wUl be enabled to judge of 
your prospective success at at a very trifling cost. 



The Science of a New Life. 

BY JOHIST GOWA]^, M. D. 

PRICES AND CONDITIONS. 

"THE SCIENCE OF A NEW LIFE" is printed from beautiful clear, new type, on fine calen- 
dered tinted paper, in one volume of over 400 octavo pages, containing 100 first-class engravings, and a 
fine steel-enffraved frontispiece of the author. 

It is issued iu three diiferent styles of binding : 
Eng-lisli clotln, levelled boards, g-ilt back and side Stamp, - S3.00 
BLicatUer, sptiukled edg^es, ------- $3..'jO 

Half Turkey Morocco, marbled edarcs, gilt letter back, etc., !fe4.00 
It is sold only through canvassing agents and the publishers. If there is no agent in your vicinity, do 
not wait, but send your order to the publishers. "The Science of a New Ijifk" is nni for sale in the 
book stores, and never will be. Notwithstanding this fact, many persons receiving this circular will at once 
apply to their bookseller to get them a copy, which they will try to do, and, of course, fnil, telling their 
customers that the book is " out of print." This will be a falsehood, for the book will never be out of 
prmt, at least, during the auttior's life-time. If you want a copy, as we know you will when you come to 
examine the following pages, ^S" enclose the price in a registered letler, if you cannot obtain a P. O. money 
order, and the book will he sent yon, by return mail or express, securely enveloped from inquisitive eyes, and 
wilhoul any additional charge for postage or expressage. If, after receiving the book and reading it thorough- 
ly, and studying it carefully, you are not convinced you have got greatly more than the value of your 
money, in the information contained in it, and will conscientiously write to us that effect, your |3 will be 
promptly returned you. Address, 

COWAN & COMPANY, Publishers, 

139 EIGHTH STKEET, New York. 

TO OTEIV AlVD 'WOOTEIV OUT OF EMPI^oyMENT we offer splendid inducements 
to canvass for this book— such terms as will allow a profit of from $30 to |50 a week, right along, 'i he 
book is comparatively an eiisy book to sell, containing, as it does, such a vast fund ot information as men 
and women are continually trying to be informed upon. Our new plan for canvassing will enable any one, 
without any experience whatever, to succeed in earning the above amounts weekly. There is no pleasanter, 
healtliier, or better paying work under the sun, than canvassing for a good book, especially canvassing for 
such a book as " The Science of a New Life," where the agent not only makes splendid wages, but 
does great good as well -tlie best kind of missionary work. It might be well to mention here that in no 
instance is a single copy of the book sold for less than the retail price. We mention this because many 
send for our confidential circulars, with tlie hope of getting a copy at agents' prices, whereas the agent 
himself has to pay fulJ price for the first copy, besides an additional sum for the " outfit." And so we ask 
of you not to send for a confidential cii-cular unless you really desire an agency. 

A FEW WORDS TO THE READER. 

You may already have one or more books that treat on sexual subjects, but we can assure you that 
" The Science of a New Life " contains matter of vital importance to the welfare of every human being, 
that is not to be found in any other book published ; and written in such a plain, pure and earnest man- 
ner, as no other book is written. If you give the possession of any other book on the same subject as an 
excuse for not sending for a copy of " The New Life," you will miss an opportunity that you may regret 
in ye;irs to come. Also, do not plead poverty as an excuse for not sending for a copy, for the information 
contained in it will, it heeded, save you in "health and growth into a more perfect manhood and lovable 
womanhood, a thousand fold the price paid for it. 

Again, do not superciliously say that you already know all on this subject you care to know, for " there 
are more things in heaven and "earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in your philosephy," and " The 
Science op a N w Life " does contain information that will open your eyes to new truths that you never 
before dreamel of. 

Finally, do not say that the book is an tinflt one to be sold and circulated, for, as no man is perfect, 
you may possibly err in your judgment, especially so if you have not, before you passed judgment, thor- 
oughly read and examined the book Vour opinion may be better than that of The Christian Union (edited 
by Henry Ward Beecher), The Christian Jdrocate. and The Christian at ]('<-77,-, or that of William Lloyd 
Gariisou. Rev. E. H. Cbapm, D. D., Judge J. W. Edmonds, Dr. Dio Lewis, Wendell Phillips, Mrs. Eliza- 
beth Cady Stanton, and other noted men and women, and prominent journals, that so warmly endorse the 
book ; but yet it does not look reasonable to suppose that it is. 

CAUTIOIV.— "The Science of a New Life " must rot be confounded with "The Science of Life," 
published by " The Peabody Medical Institute," an advertising quack concern, of Boston. It is widely 
advertised throughout New England, and many persons have the impression that the two books are one. 
Puroiiasers are also guarded against other books with nearly similar titles, as " Science of Human Lite," 
" Science of a Irue Life," " Sexual Scienc c," etc. Before buying see that the book has Dr. John Cowan's 
name on the title-page, as author. 

ANOTHER ITElTf AVOUTH NOTICING.— The majority of popular books on sexual and 
medical matters are written, widely advertised, sold by subscription and otherwise, simply and wholly to 
bring in their authors' medical practice. " The Scienck of a New Life" was written simply and wholly 
to do good ; the author desires no medical practice, and refuses it when offered. The book is complete in 
itself — it is a doctor and counsellor to all who read and heed its advice. 



In mailing money (to avoid all possible danger), send it in a registered letter, or by a post-office money 
order. When sent otherwise, it is entirely at the risk of the sender. Give your name, town, county, and 
state, plainly written, without flourish, and address 

COWAN & CO., Publishers, 

139 EIGHTH STREET, ]Vew York. 

(Between Broadway and Fourth Avenue.) 



^HE gciENCE OF A ]SJ EW LiFE. 



BY JOHN COWAN, M. D. 







I'M,*' 



4<^ 



HINKING and reflecting persons must allow that we, 
as men and women, are just as our parents made 
us ; that our irregularities of mind and disposition — 
our infirmities of soul and body, hare been trans- 
mitted and bequeathed to us by those who gave us 
being ; and that one of the objects in living on this 
earth is — in those who live rightly — to overcome 
the crooked and bad with which we are endowed. 
This being so, any information which throws light 
on this immensely importantsubject should be wel- 
comed with unbounded delight. Such information 
" The Science of a New Life " professes to give — 
in a plain understandable manner — with great ear- 
nestness of purpose, with undoubted purity of 
motive, with a spirit that breathes a reverence for 
God's greatest handiwork — man, indicating how, 
by and through the observance of given law-s, 
clean, sweet, healthy and talented offspring may 
result, and perfection on this earth therefore be 
possible of attainment. It also gives all necessary 
suggestions for the right choosing of husbands and 
wives, so that harmony and happiness will result, 
and discord and divorces be avoided. 
Especially does it advocate and encourage in man 
and woman continence, purity of thought and association, and all that socially ennobles 
and elevates — leading the soul out of the filth and slough of sensuality tip into the charmed 
and lovable atmosphere that encircles those who are chaste and pure in thought, word 
and deed. 

Altogether it aims in a systematic manner to cover the whole ground of human social 
life bounded by the entrance into the marriage state and the birth of a new life — with the 
intermediate results of wrong-doing, and their indications, causes, and remedies. 

Some people look with distrust on all that concerns the intimate social relations of the 
sexes, as knowledge that is dangerous and contaminating, that should be hid away in 
dark corners, or entirely excommunicated, abolished, or destroyed. Such thoughts and 
desires spring altogether from a wrong and misdirected education, instilling in the mind 
of the individual views and opinions that are narrow, contracted and unfair. That a 
knowledge of the whole of that part of human physiology that treats of the intimate 
social relations of the sexes can injure or in any way degrade the thought, the mind, the 
body, or tlie soul of the individual, would be a sad reflection on God's loving justice 
and mercy. 

Tliis book has been noticed most approvingly by divines of all denominations, physi- 
cians, and by several hundred of the most prominent and influential papers of the coun- 
try. Some — only a very few— of these notices, or rather short extracts from them, will 
be found on the pages following the Table of Contents, to which the reader is referred. 
These notices do not include the scores of letters received from the people, whose great 
sympathetic hearts beat in response to the high aims and noble purposes inculcated in 
the book. 

No person can read and study this book without being the better for it, and every man 
and woman who aids in circulating it helps along the perfection of humanity, and the 
coming of the day when there will be no more spiritual, mental or physical deformities ; 
when man will truly be like unto the Father who created him. 

Wm you help us in circulating THE SCIENCB OP A Ifl^EW LIFE, 

by either taking an agency yourself or interesting some of your friends 

in doing so ? We hope so, and will be pleased to hear from you at any time 

in relation to an agency or the purchase of a copy for yourself. 



THE SCIENCE OF A ]\^E"W EIFE. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER I. — Maeeiage and its Advantages. 

Men who are tratnarriea Reasons advanced for remaining single Marriage a natural condition of adult 

life The great desires and aims of life only to be secured through marriage Objects in aiAitnT- 

ING False objects — —How mistakes are made in choosing Should those afflicted with consump- 
tion and other diseases marry J The great wrong done in this direction. True objects in mar- 
rying. ......... ... 25-29 

CHAPTER II.— Age at which to Maeet. 

How determined Puberty, how accelerated, how retarded The error in fixing the popular age for mar- 
riage The true age at which to many, as determined by physiology Why children born of early 

marriages are undesirable The effect of early marriage on the woman On the man The result 

of unions between persons of disproportionate ages Between old men and young women. . 30-35 

CHAPTER III.— The Law of Choice. 

Its great importance It is as easily understood and applicable as any other law that goTerns mind and 

matter Mode of forming matrimonial alliances among the Assyrians Chinese— Moors Turks 

Tartars Siberians iiodern marriages analyzed The every-day result The choosing of 

a wife and purchasing a farm compared Wherein consists the difference The great error made 

in choosing The only true mode Resulting in a harmonious and perfect love union Phrenolo- 
gy as a guide in choosing. . ......... 36-44 

CHAPTER IV.— Love Analyzed. 

Is love, as popularly used, a requirement in choosing a wife or husband ? Poets and novelists on love 

The mistiness surrounding the true meaning of the word The mistakes made in its application 

Characteristics of mock love Rationale of true love The definition of perfect sexual love Pa- 
rental love Brotherly and sisterly love Love of God Reciprocity of thought and feeling as a 

retiuiremcnt in love Love at first sight Can perfect love exist .' Health and purity of body as 

a requirement to its existence Sickness and filthy habits as a bar to its existence. . . 45-50 

CHAPTER v.— Qualities the Man Should Avoid in Choosing. 
Transmitted disease Hysterical women Small waists "Why their possessors are incapable of mak- 
ing good wives Natural waists or no wives AVhy large men should not marry small women Ig- 
norant and wrongly educated Strong-minded women ISIodem accomplishments, their utter use- 

lessness in married life Knowledge of household affairs a requisite in all women who marry Skin- 
deep beauty and true beauty compared Extra vagance of dress and ornament False hair, falso 

" forms," etc. Women who are mdolent and lazy Marriage of cousins, right or wrong ?— — Ex- 
tracts from the Works of Drs. Carpenter and Voisin The author's opinion and advice on the subject 

Temperaments Widows Divorced women Difference in religious faith- Women who 

have a greater fondness for balls, parties and gossip, than for home associations Other qualities that 

are to be avoided How and when to see women to learn their characteristics Phrenology as a help 

—What should be done on choosing and being accepted. ..... 51-63 

CHAPTER VI. — Qualities the Woman Should Avoid in Choosing. 

The feverish desire of women to get married Indications of the result Who responsible ^Perfect 

womanhood should be reached before the thought of marriage is entertained Sickness and ill health 

in the man Men possessing the disgusting habit of using tobacco, and the degrading one of using 

alcoholic liquors, should be avoided — — Wliy ? An unsolved mystery Lustful and licentious men 

■ — —Are moderate drinkers desirable as husbands ? The "fast "man and "rake," and woman's 

shame in recognizing such Fallen women, and woman's duty to such Effeminate men Men 

having no visible means of suM>ort Blood relations Widowers Divorced men Irreligious 

and profane men Gamblers Jlean men Lazy men Marrying strangers on short acquaint- 
ance Marrying for money or a home Woman, in being sought after, should appear only in her 

every-day character The" importance of this as affecting her future welfare Should women bo 

allowed to advertise for husbands? Doubts on the subject If attempted, how to avoid evil 

results Failing an offer of marriage, what then .' Words of consolation and cheer to unmarried 

women. ...... ....... 64-73 

CHAPTER VII.— The Anatomy and Physiology of Geneeation in Woman. 

The importance of a knowledge of reproductive physiology in all who think of marrying The uterus 

Ligaments Cavity of the uterus Structure Fallopian tubes Ovaries Their structure • 

Graffian follicles Ovum, or egg Size and formation of human egg How it lipens and is 

thrown off The febrile excitement produced by the ripening of the Graffian vesicle and escape of the 

egg The vagina Labia Hymen Menstruation When it first appears and when it ceases 

Its origin and nature The mammary glands Nipples The secretion of milk. . 74-8G 

CHAPTER VIIL— The Anatomy and Physiology of Geneeation in Man. 

Prostate gland Cowper glands Testes Scrotum Structure of the testes Vasa recta Vasa 

deferens Spermatic cord Vesiculee seminales Ejaculatory ducts Semen Its nature, how 

it originates and how perfected Spermatozoa Effect of the first appearance of semen on boy 

Effect of its re-absoption in the continent man The Law of Sex Is there a law governing the 

production of children of different sexes at will ? Different theories on the subject The latest 

theory probably the right one Mode of procedure, as given by the discoverer, for parents to gener- 
ate male or female children at will. ......... 8^-104 

CHAPTER IX.— Amativeness— ITS Use and Abuse. 

The cerebellum Its two-fold nature Amativeness Its size in proportion to rest of brain- Its 

location The higher the organ of the brain the greater the pleasure derived from its exercise 

The nervous fluid Where originated The effect when largely drawn on by amativeness Sen- 
suality Its universality among all classes and all ages The eiEEect produced on amative desires by 

the observance of right and wrong dietetic habits Causes of abnormal amative desires in women 

The results of the abuse of amativeness The effect on the nervous system The semen, capa- 
ble of giving life, is, when re-absorbed, capable of renewing life — —Promiscuous indulgence Risks 

incurred A sad case Hospital sights Excessive indulgence between the married The slave- 
life of the wife in this direction The results Amative excesses in those newly married No 



XHE SCIENCE ©F A NE^V E5FE.— Cositeists Contintiied. 

pure lov^ where there is sexual excess Disgust, not love, bom of this great •wrong-^ — Easily read 

signs of sexual excess in the man and woman The great necessity for a reformation in thiB 

direction. . ........... 105-120 

CHAPTER X. — The Prevention of Conception. 

The true reason for the desire for knowledge on this subject Mode adopted by the " Perfectionists " 

Its difficulty of observance Its harmfnlness The method advocated by latter-day physiologists, 

founded on the theory of the monthly arrival at, and departure from, the womb of the ovum 

Wherein it fails Intercourse duringlactation How it results in conception... .Other methods of 

preyention, and the harm they do The true method of prevention as ordained by God The ob- 
servance of which carries with it no bad after-effects. ...... 121-128 

CHAPTER XI.— The Law of Continence. 

Its grreat importance The prevailing ifrnorance on the subject Definition of the word continence 

How often is the sexual act permissible between a man and wife living a pure and chaste life The 

only true solution being God's divine law in this direction The only natural time for intercourse 

Anything diflferins from this carries with it sin and sickness— — Some objections to a continent life 

considered Locke, Newton, and Pitt, men who never married, and who were known to live conti- 
nent lives The elementary differences between a life of licentiousness and a life of strict conti- 
nence The true use of the reproductive element The difficulty in adopting and living a con- 
tinent life Rules for guidance the reaction produced by a sudden arrest of sexual excess and the 

use of alcoholic liquors compared and explained Health not compatible with seminal emissions 

Plan of Life Tobacco Alcoholic liquors Gluttony Food to be used and avoided Bread 

Dress Exercise Beds and sleeping-rooms Hours for rest and exorcise Habits Em- 
ployment Choice of companions Training of the will-power Drugs and patent medicines 

Quack doctors Cultivation of the religious sentiments. ..... 129-150 

CHAPTER XII. — Childeen, theie Desxeability. 

An essential requisite in a perfect union that parental love be present The command to " increase and 

multiply" Why children are troublesome to rear The remedy Small families and no families 

amonsr the married on the increase Large families a tiling of the past The cause for the growing 

unwillingness to have children — —Beauty and youth retained, if not acquired, by having children 

under right conditions The loneliness and desolation of life without children The bearing and 

rearing of children a glorious privilege Tlie perfection of love and happiness that comes of generat- 
ing bright and beautiful children Abdon, Judge of Israel, with his forty sons and thirty prand- 

children Increase of offspring and overcrowded populations. .... 151-154 

CHAPTER XIII.— The Law of Genius. 

Plainness and mediocrity among mankind the rule, and beauty and genius the exception The cause—— 

Educational and benevolent institutions of very small moment in comparison with the pre-natal in- 
fluence of the mother All the workings of this universe, from the smallest to the greatest, 

governed by law In the production of offspring, too, there must be a law The law of chance 

or accident the law observed by the mass of mankind The great wrong done by the non-observ- 
ance of the law of reproduction The deformed, homely, and diseased — ^Tho mediocre The 

world's great, their appearance explained The immense importance of a right birthright on the 

future welfare of mankind Extending into eternity An imbecile or idiot here cannot bloom into 

a Shakespeare or Milton in the next world A person endowed by the parents with a licentious, 

gluttonous, wicked nature, will not, on leaving this earth, take on the garments of purity, innocence, 
and holiness Tlie fundamental principles of genius in reproduction Some obstacles to its observ- 
ance Their remedies The requirements in women whose desire it is to observe the law of genius 

in the production of bright and beautiful , cliildren Tlie requirements in men Three periods of 

transmitted influence Period of introductory preparation Period of gestatory influence 

Period of nursing influence The mother's influence during these periods The father's influence 

The time at which the ovum, or egg, is in its freshest and ripest state, at which time it eliould be 

imprenated Husband and wife's duty during the period of introductory preparation- — The prin- 
cipal requisites for transmitting desirable qualities to the offspring — —The quality of genius, or beauty, 
not necessary in the parents to enable them to transmit these qualities to their offspring- — Definition 

of genius as given by Webster Talent always in demand, mediocrity always at a discount The 

pursuit of life for the child to be determined on before conception Farmers Farming the most 

desirable occupation in life Where they fail, and how they fail %Vhat they are, and wJiat they 

should be Other occupations Adam Smith on vegetarianism First thing to be done in 

the observance of the season of introductory preparation The importance of a life free from 

in.iurious and filthy habits during this period Order Truthfulness Reverence for God 

Unity of plans and desires The introductory period one of intensity of thought and action 

Suppose a plan of life be adopted for a male child, and a female appear What then? Instruc- 
tion by examples The expense for educating the future child should commence with the intro- 
ductory period of preparation This law of genius can be adopted by the poorest as well as the richest 

Is a necessity as much to the laborer as to the diplomatist In transmission of genius the parents 

do not require to know so much as to try, (o experiment The transmission of accessory qualities 

as giudes and aids to the predominant faculty—" — Religious sentiments Transmitted beauty of face 

and form Parents can as easily have beautiful cliildren as homely ones Rules to be observed 

Examples Parents can generate children of a cheerful, healthy, laughing nature as easily as they 

can the reverse The plan to be followed easy of observance Importance of a Ufe of strict chastity 

during these different periods of ijre-natal influence Feverish pursuit of money as a barrier to the 

observance of this law A father's direct influence on the new life ends with the period of introduc- 
tory preparation — 'Importance of a close observance by him Result of a united observance of this 

law 155-175 

PART n. — The Consummation. 

CHAPTER Xrv.— The Conception of a New Life. 

The proper season Best months Best time of day Light and darkness Light the source of life 

Darkness the synonym of death Tlie new life should be generated when the husband and Wife 

are at their perfection of physical and mental strength The time of day this oceuis The sleeping 




TIHE SCIENCE OF A NEW EIFE.— Contents Continued. 



room The morning exercise of the devotional sentiments Out-door exercise Purity of thoughts 

—The consummation. . . . . • • • . . . • 176-180 

CHAPTER XV. — The Physiology of Intea-Uteeine Geowth. 

Growth of the egg after fecundation The remarkable change that takes place Segmentation of the 

Yitellus Blastodermic membrane External layer Internal layer- — Chorion Ovum at end 

of first month Eelation of the cord, placenta, membrane, etc Embryo, how nourished I'lncenta 

Foetal circulation Description of growth of ovum from tenth day to ninth month Growth 

and development of the face. ......... 181-191 

CHAPTER XVI.— Peeiod of Gestative Influence. 

Tbef ecundated egg "When the physical life commences When the soul life commences The medium 

of communication between tlie soul and the body The medium of communication between the 

mother and foetus The first great requirement to be observed by the mother during this period 

The food to be used at this time The only allowable drink Dyspepsia, how transmitted The 

importance of air anJ light liaths Sleep Habifa of thought and action to be observed 

Period of gestative influence to be divided into two sections The first four months the physical in 

the mother predominating The last five, the mental predominating Indisputable reasons why 

sexual consrress should not take place between husband and wife during this period Illustrations 

Of the wonderful power of pre-natal influence A young prodigy An engineer "\\' Oman's light 

to choose new paths of labor Woman's mediocrity in her present allotted paths of labor How to 

be remedied Napoleon I. The poet Burns Why Scotland produces such a number of literary 

and scientific men Other illustrations The result when this law is slighted and disregarded 

Children with bad tempers Untruthful, sickly, scrofulous, consumptive, homely, desire tor tobacco 

Fondness for alcoholic liquors, licentious, imbecile, idiotic, dishonest, revengeful Cases illustrat- 
ing these facts Tiie great responsibility parents accept in generating new beings for eternity. 192-234 

CHAPTER XVII.— Peegnancy, its Signs and Dueation. 

How originating a new life affects the nature of the mother Signs indicating that pregnancy has taken 

place Failure in recurrence of the menses Morning sickness Salivation Mammary changes 

Secretion of milk Enlargement of the abdomen (iuickening Pregnancy may exist with- 
out any of these signs Duration of pregnancy Viability of the child Plan to adopt to save 

life in a biith of the seventh month. . . ...... 235-246 

CHAPTER XVIII.— DisoEDEEs of Peegnanc-z. 
Bearing of children a natural process Why some women have easy, and others diflBcult births- — Un- 
derlying cause of ill health duiiug pregnancy Nausea and vomiting Longings Fainting 

Sleeplessness — Costiveness Diarrhosa Piles Pruritus Heartburn Toothache Head- 
ache Palpitation of the heart Swelling of the feet and legs— Pain in the breast Hysteria 

Irritation of the bladder Jaundice Vomiting of blood Vaccination Salivation • 

Abortion, or Miscarriage What it indicates- Its frequency, how caused Effects on the wo- 
man serious and lasting Symptoms How to arrest How to prevent. . . 247-255 

CHAPTER XIX.— Confinement. 

Mode of life to be adopted to insure an easy birth Clothing Food that will prematurely harden the 

bones Food that will keep them in a cartilasinoiis state Prevention of suffering in partuntion 

The time when this particular kind of food should be used Baths a great help to easy child- 
birth Injections Pure air and sunlight Exercise Preparations for Confinement 

The presence of gossiping friends and neighbors undesirable Who should be present Commence- 
ment of labor — -First indications How to proceed in case the accoucher fails to attend. 256-263 

CHAPTER XX.— Management of Mothee and Child aftee Deliveey. 

Bemoval of soiled clothes Bathing-^How the abdominal bandage is useless What to substitute in 

its place Visitors Ventilation of the lying-in chamber Mistakes in regard to diet at this time 

The breasts Milk fever Care of nipples Management of child after birth Baths 

Dress Exercise Nursing room Food Soothing syrups B.Qff often should a child be 

nursed When should it be weaned. .....■■• 264-278 

CHAPTER XXI.— Peeiod of Nuesing Influence. 

How the character of the chill is influenced by the mother during this period The great wrong done 

the child when not nursed by the mother Maternal influence at this period greatly under-estimated 

Effect of the use of wrong food and drink by the mother on the health and character of tne 

child Effect of mental effort on the nursing child The mother can transmit desirable mental and 

physical qualities to the child during this period Pull directions to this end. . . 279-288 

PART III.— Wrongs Righted. 

CHAPTER XXn.— FcETiciDE. 

Its extent A nation of murderers As prevalent in the country as in the city Proofs-; — The crime 

a murder, no more— no less Arguments tlie perpetrators advance to shield their iniquity When 

life is present in the embryo When the soul is present Classes of society in which the women are 

found who practice ante-natal child murder Church members and professing Christians not exempt 

The crime against the wife and child of an undesired maternity Wbo responsibie^ Letters 

from women who have suffered, exposing the cause and its results in all their hideous deformity 

Results of forced abortion on the body and soul of the mother — -Proportion who die The local ef- 

• fects Effects on the children born after Sterility a frequent result— Beauty destroyed Old 

age hastened Remorse of conscience The ever present phantom of a great ciime These unde- 
veloped souls as witnesses in the next world Advice offered, the observance of which will result in 

less danger and harm to the mother Effect on the child ghould the woman tail to accomplish her 

desire Suggestions as to how the great crime is to be treated and prevented No forced aboi tions 

practiced by Roman Catholics The duty of ministers and teachers Paxting words to unmarried 

women. .... ....... 389-315 

CHAPTER XXIII.— Diseases Peculiae to Vv'omen. 

Their cause and symptoms Directions for home treatment and cure Why women are eo universally 



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THE SCIENCE OF A NEW L/IFE.— Contents Continued. 

complaining A rich field for quacks and patent medicine venders Absent menstruation Ee- 

tained menstruation Suppressed menstruation Chronic suppression Irregular menstruation 

Painful menstruation Profuse menstruation Vicarious menstruation Cessation of men- 
struation Chlorosis Inflammation of the ovaries Inflammation of the uterus Chronic 

inflammation Ulceration of the uterus Tumor in the uterus Cancer of the uterus 

Corroding ulcer Cauliflower excrescence Displacement of the uterus Prolapsus uteri, or fall- 
ing of the womb Retroversion of the uterus Retroflexion Ante-version Leucorrhoea or 

"whites." 811-329 

CHAPTER XXIV.— Diseases Fecttlia.^ fro Men. 

Their cause and symptoms, with directions for home treatment and cure Gonorrhoea and cure Gleet 

Phymosis Paraphymosis Stricture of the urethra Swelled testicle Inflammation of 

the prostate gland — -Inflammation of the bladder Vegetations The chancroid and chancre 

Buboes Syphilis Diagnostic difference between the chancroid and the chancre Involuntary 

nocturnal emissions Spermatorrhoea Miscellaneous disorders affecting emissions, erection and 

the semen. 330-364 

CHAPTER XXV.— MASTtJEBATION-. 

Its cause, results and cure Its extent Its effects on the character and future prospects of the indi- 
vidual Evidence from the superintendent of a lunatic asylum as to its prevalence- — -Exciting and 

transmitted causes Signs in the boy, girl or man, that he who runs may read Home method of 

cure and restoration to perfect manhood Requirements necessary to its prevention. . 365-375 

CHAPTER XXVI.— Sterility and Impotence. 
Cause, treatment and cure One of the first laws promulgated by the Almighty, " Increase and multi- 
ply " The incapacity to observe this law a source of life-long misery and imliappiness Sterility, 

in most cases, susceptible of removal Two classes Violated physiological laws as causes ilow 

excess in the newly married results in sterility Why a large proportion of the newly married have 

no desire for children How sterility occurs after the birth of one or two children Inflammation 

of the uterus as a cause General debility Prolapsus and obliquity of the womb as causes Im- 
perforate hymen Stricture of the vagina Tumors Stricture of the neck of the uterus Ob- 
literation of Fallopian tubes Inflammation of the ovaries Absence of uterus Congenital 

shortness of vagina Undevelopfid ovaries Impotence in Man Lowering of the vital force by 

excess Masturbation Want of sexual feeling Non-descent of the testicles Hernia Vaii- 

cocele Stricture of the urethra Obesity Abnormal condition of the erectile tissue A natural 

phymosis Temperament. ......... 376-384 

CHAPTER XXVII.— Subjects og WHICH More Might BE Said 385-392 

CHAPTER XXVm.— A Happy Mareied Lipe— How Sectoed 893-410 




PERSOIJAL AND NEWSPAPER NOTICES. 

[Frotn the Christian Union, HenrY Ward Beecher, Editor.'] 
A new edition of " The Science of a New Life " gives us the opportunity of saying that it 
seems to us to be one of the wisest and purest and most helpful of those hooka which have 
been written in recent years with the intention of tcachinp; men and women the truths about 
their bodies, which are of peculiar importance to the morals of society. It will be understood 
that we here refer to treatises on sexual physiology. No one can begin to imagine the misery 
that has come upon the human family solely through ignorance upon this subject. Of course, 
only a man who is more than learned, who is wise and good also, can safely be entrusted with 
the duty of writing such a book. The spirit in which Dr. Cowan has written is apparently 
that of earnest devotion to the welfare of mankind. 

[From Wm. Lloyd Garrison, Boston."] 
On a careful examination of Dr. Cowan's " Science of a New Life " I am prepared to give it 
my very cordial approval, and to wish that it might be in the possession of the two large classes 
for whose guidance and happiness it was written, namely, "all who are married, and particu- 
larly those who contemplate marriaga," not excepting those who do not intend or are not likely 
to marry, but who cannot fail to be enlightened and aided by its teaching. It deserves to be 
in every family, and read and pondered, as closely relating to the highest moral and physical 
well-being of all its members. With here and there an opinion or a rule that may be question- 
able, it is nevertheless a volume admirable for the purity of its tone and ptirpose, unquestiona- 
ably sound in its hygienic directions and physiological averments, and extremely valuable in 
the lessons it inculcates. " The people perish for lack of knowledge " is an ancient declaration, 
almost as ajiplicable now as when it was first uttered ; and it is largely owing to a profound ig- 
norance of the law of birth and parentage, and the laws of our physical organization generally, 
that " the lusts of the flesh " have gained such wide-spread ascendency that millions of the hu- 



=4- 



man race are suffering both 1)001117 and mental depravation, that the marriage relation has been 
so fearfully violated, and that licentiousness and foul disease are infecting the very life-blood 
of the people. The essential remedy for these great evils is to be found in Dr. Cowan's work ; 
therefore, may it be circulated far and wide. 

Yours, for suffering humanity, Wm. Llotd Gaeeison. 

[From James Paeton, the Eminent Biographer and Lecturer.'] 

Deae Sie : The theme which you have treated, in your work entitled " The Science of a New 
Life," is certainly one of very great importance. It must be apparent to all observing persons 
that we need above all things a physical regeneration — the essential preliminary to a spiritual 
one. There are many things in your book that are new to me, and concerning the truth of 
which I am not competent to give an opinion ; but I cannot doubt that its general purport is 
sound, and likely to be beneficial to all who attentively read it. I shall be glad to hear of its 
universal circvdation. BespectfuUy yours, James Paexon. 

[Frotn Mes. Elizabeth Cadt Stanton.] 

I have read Dr. Cowan's work, and made it my text-book in lectures " to women alone," for 
several years. As it is far easier to generate a race of happy, healthy men and woman than to 
regenerate the diseased and discordant humanity wo now have, I heartUy recommend the study 
of " The Science of a New Life " to every mother in the land, 

Elizabeth Cadt Stanton. 

[Extraet of a letter from Eobeet Dale Owen to the Author."] 

I thank you much for the brave book j-ou were so kind as to send me. The subjects upon 
which it touches are among the most important of any connected with Social Science, and the 
world is your debtor for the bold stand you have taken. 

Youi-s sincerely, Kobeet Dale Owen. 

[From the Pastor and People, Wu. M. Coenbll, M. D., LL. D., Editor.] 

The external and internal beauty of the book and its numerous illustrations, in such contrast 
with the mass of catchpenny works relating to similar subjects, is in haimony with the ideal 
of purity, health and happiness, with which the author seeks to invest the domestic and conjugal 
states, and by which especially to lay the broad foundation for the health and happiness of the 
children which may bless the founders of the new home, — the originators of the New Life. 
"Without endorsing every idea or expression contained in this volume, which we have careiully 
read, we are free to say that its suggestions followed with any reasonable degree of fidelity 
would give health to many a wearied wife and wretched husband ; would bring peace to many 
a disturbed and troubled home, and confer blessings on many children yet unborn. "The Sci- 
ence of a New Life " is no cheap medium for the advertisement of drugs, nostrums and hum- 
bugs, but it is a sensible, interesting book, containing nothing to offend the purest mind, but 
ministering to the interests of virtue, health and religion, and profitable to all who may read it. 

[Fro)7i De. Did Lewis, of Boston, the well-known Author and Lecturer.] 

De. Cowan — Dear sir : I have read your work, " The Science of a New Life. I have more 
than read it — I have studied, I have feasted upon it. 

During the last twenty years I have eagerly sought everything upon this most vital subject, 
but I have found nothing which approaches in simplicity, delicacy, earnestness and power this 
work. On my own account, and in behalf of the myriads to whom your incomparable book 
will carry hope and life, I thank you. 

For years I have been gathering material for such a work. Constantly I have apijlications 
for the book, which years ago I promised the public. Now I shall most conscientiously and joy- 
fully send them to you, I am most respectfully yours, Dio Lewis. 

[From Eev, Octavius B. Feothingham, of New York.] 

I have read with care "The Science of a New Life." If a million of the married and un- 
married would do the same, they would learn many things of deepest import to their welfare. 
Not that I am prepared to give it my unqualified praise ; but the substance of the book is 
excellent, its purpose high, its counsel noble, its spirit earnest, humane, and pure. I trust it 
will have a very wide circulation. Sincerely yours, 0. B, Fboxhingham. 

[From the Christian at Warh^ 

This book is remarkable for the fund of physiological information contained between its 
covers, nowhere else attainable, and not to be had in its entirety except by those familiar with 
the French books on physiology, 

[From Judge J. W. Edmodos, ex-Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, New York. 

I have read the work " The Science of a New Life," by Dr. John Cowan, and I ought not to 
withhold from you the expression of my approbation of it. I would have given a good deal 
for the knowledge it contains in my boy days — some sixty years ago, and I rejoice greatly 
that it has at length been put in a form accessible to all. J, W, Edmonds. 



^-. 



[Fro7n the Index, Feanoi3 E. AbbcStt, Editor.'] 

Dr. John Cowan's " Science of a New Life " is a work devoted to all that relates to marriage, 
and written in a style and spirit that command our unqualified approbation. It is plain, di- 
rect, and practical— yet penneated with so deep a reverence for the marriage rek-^ion, and so 
utter an abhorrence of what we are ashamed to call fashionable abominations, that pruriency 
will be rebuked, and the love of purity heightened by its perusal. There can be no question 
that physiological knowledge of this character is sorely needed by thousands and thousands of 
people, whose innocent offspring must pay the penalty of their parents' ignorance or vice. To 
those who would put a really unexceptionable book on these subjects in the hands of young 
persons approaching matmity, we can conscientiously recommend this as one that will enlight- 
en without debasing. 

[From Moore's Rural New Yorker.'] 

" If ever the reformation of the world is to be accomplished — if ever the millennium of purity, 
chastity, and intense happiness reaches this earth, it can only do so through rightly directed 
pre-natal laws." Such is the sentiment upon which this book is built up — a sentiment not ad- 
mirably expressed, but admirable in its meaning. To a correct understanding of the laws pre- 
natal and post-nataJ as also to a more thorough comjirehension of what marriage should be, 
and what it should accomplish for mutual happiness, these four hundred and five octavo pages 
by Dr. Cowan must greatly conduce. They are devoted to topics concerning which no person 
arrived at years of thoughtfulness should be ignorant. They treat of these topics in a plain, 
sensible manner, in language that none but a prude can object to, and are apparently written 
in no spirit of quackery, but for a worthy purpose. Could the book be placed in the hands of 
every young person contemplating matrimony it would assuredly do much good. 

[From the Albany Argus,] 

This excellent work is so superior in style and matter to the numerous worthless books, with 
which the country is flooded that we are not willing to let it pass without commending it to tho 
thoughtful consideration of our readers. Treating of those important topics that refer to the 
health and purity of mind and body, ignorance of which, at this enlightened day, is inexcusa- 
ble, in a manner earnest and forcible, but chaste and elegant, it is a reliable hygienic and moral 
guide. Parents often make a terrible mistake, in not speaking freely to their children of 
physiological laws, and of the social and moral evils that may beset them m life, and too fre- 
quently they acquire dangerous information and fatal habits from corrupt associations. On all 
the subjects in which men and women are most deeply interested this book is a sound teacher, 
and to married persons its lessons are invaluable. 

[From Oliver Johnson, Managinj Editor of the Christian Union.] 

Mt Dear Sie : I have examined with some attention and very gi-eat interest Dr. John 
Cowan's work, " The Science of a New Life ;" and I do not hesitate to say that its moral 
teachings are of a iiure and high character, and that its general circulation cannot fail to do a 
great deal of good. The author has presented so much valuable truth in impressive forms as 
to be entitled to the gratitude of all those who desire to see the world redeemed from sensuality 
and sin. Yours respectfully, Oliveb Johnson. 

[From the Christian Advocate, New York.] 

It is a difELcult as wgU as a delicate task to discuss in a proper manner the subject of repro- 
duction of a new human life. This the author of this work has undertaken, going into details 
of facts and philosophy, with constantly applied suggestions of a physiological, sanitary and 
moral character. Tlie method and execution of the work are quite unexceptionable, and many 
of its practical suggestions are certainly valuable. 

[From De. II. B. Stoeee, Boston, Mass.] 

"The Science of a New Life" is both impulse and direction toward noble living and the im- 
provement of our race. The physiological knowledge imparted and the wise suggestions made 
are of the first importance to ail who contemplate marriage and parentage. The ideal of tho 
author is far in advance of any other popular writer upon these subjects of whom I have 
knowledge. His purpose is noble, his spirit pure and earnest, his method simple and clear, 
and the whole scope and tendency of the book is practical, and calculated to guide the reader 
to health, happiness, and usefulness to his race. I most cordially commend this book to young 
men and women particularly. No subject more vital to their well being can occupy their 
attention, and no treatise upon it yet published can give them more valuable information. I 
desire again to emphasize my conviction that this is the best book of the kind yet published. 

H. B. Stoeee. 
[From the Hart/ord Courant.] 

This work is very different from the works that are usually published on this subject. It is 
a plain but chaste book, dealing with the physical problems which most concern all human 
beings in the spirit of science and humanity. What we all as society need is a better under- 
standing of physiology and the laws of health, so that men and women, knowing these laws 
and their own constitutions, can live properly, in such physical estate as shall produce the best 
mental state. This book is a very valuable contribution to that end. 



A FEW EXTRACTS FROM AGENTS' LETTERS. 



To convince applicants of the popular selling nature of " The Science of a New 
Life," and how easy it will be for any person who takes an agency to clear from $30 to 
$50 weekly, we herewith append a few short extracts from the very many letters of agents 
we have on file at our office. 

Cleveland Mine, Ohio. 
Sirs :— I enclose $18 for ten copies of " The Science 
of a New Life." I got the book and " outfit " this 
noon, and went out the same evening canrassin;!. 
I was out an hour, and got eleven names. I think 
if I do as well eyery day, you will have no cause to 
complain ; etc., etc. 

E. "W. ALLEN. 



Dublin, Ohio. 
Gentlemen:— Enclosed find report for two 
■weeks ; I have been very unwell for the past two 
days, or I would have taken more orders. Enclosed 
is order for 48 books, also draft No. 29'15 on Jay 
Cook & Co., New York, for $87.30. I deliver these 
books by the last of September ; the next delivery 
the last of October. 

Mrs. H. a. COREY. 



SusQ. Depot, Pa. 
Dear Sirs:— I vn'ote you from Jlontrose yester- 
day ; I now write from*5usq. Depot, 12 miles dis- 
tant. While at Montrose I secured the names of 
three of her most prominent men— the only ones I 
solicited. Our success, thus far, is very gratifying. 
The work is meeting with almost universal favor 
among the more highly educated, which gives us 
reason to think it will also among the middle classes ; 
etc., etc. Most truly yours, 

MALLORY & CARPENTER. 

Stewabtsville, Va. 
Gents. :— Please excuse me for not repoi'ting 
sooner; I did not think it was necessary to report 
so often. Yet I have not been idle. I have can- 
vassed about half of the territory you assigned me, 
and have got, up to this date, three hundred and 
thirty-six (336) good and responsible subscribers. I 
took your plan for it, not to pass a house without 
calling. I think it best to get partly through can- 
vassing before I deliver any of the books. I think 
I can get through by the first of March — at any rate 
I have agreed to deliver them between the first of 
March and the first of April ; I hope by that time 
to have five or six hundred subscribers. I shall, in 
future, report oftener. The ten copies I sent to you 
for shortly after receiving my outfit, was to supply 
some of my subscribers that were moving West. 
You seem to think this a hard work to sell, but I 
beg to differ; etc., etc. Yours very truly, 

A. E. SMITH. 

WiLLIAMSPORT, Pa. 

Gentlemen :— I trust you will excuse me lor not 
doing more last week. I could only get a chance to 
canvass about two hours, and got eight subscribers. 
C. E. GIBBS. 

Prairie City, Oregon. 
Sirs : — I received your book and outfit, and was 
delighted on looking through " The Science of a 
New Life." I think it is the best book I ever read 
in my life, and I am certain I can do well, by selling 
it in this county. Yours respectfully, 

EZRA H. VINSON. 

Sirs:— I have canvassed three days this week, 
and have obtained thirty-eight subscribers. On 
this day week I will send you an order with the 
money for books. "The Science of a New Life" 
is the book for the people, and I can do better with 
it than with any book I have yet canvassed with. 
A. E. CARTER, 

Agt. for Carroll Co., Tenn. 



"Bellefontaine, Ohio. 
Dear Sirs : — I received your circular a short 
time ago. I have had considerable to do with can- 
vassing in my lifetime, and have sold a great many 
books, but yours promises the best yield of any I 
have seen yet, and 1 will be greatly rejoiced to he- 
come one of your agents. I could not do much be- 
fore June, and then I can travel over a pood portion 
of country. I have seen men who could not eell one 
book in a county, I might say, and I went over the 
same ground and sold the same book at almost 
euery liouse ; etc., etc. Yours truly, 

BEN. F. RISH. 

DuLtTTH, Minn. 
Gentlemen :— Enclosed please find draft for §18. 
CO, accompanying my first order for books. It was 
not until yesterday that I could possibly commence 
the work of canvassing, and so far the book seems 
just the thing. I have twelve names of the first 
meu of the place, as a start ; etc., etc. 

Yours truly, W. M BALL. 

Gagetown, N. B., Can. 
Dear Sirs : — I received your letters and outfit 
January 29th, and was well pleased with '' The 
Science of a New Life." I think it the best book I 
ever read in my lite, and I am certain I can do well 
selling it in this county. Though [ have been sick, 
I have seventeen (17) orders to date. **** I shall 
send for a box of books soon. 

FREDERICK L. WILLIAMS. 

Lyons, N. Y. 
Gentlemen: — Yours bearing date of the 11th 
inst. is received. I have now ninety-three orders. 
I think I can get quite a number more in Lyons. 
These are all within the corporation, as I have not 
been outside. The course I adopted was to write 
down 30 of the most influential men's names in the 
village, and proceeded to get their orders, of which 
I took all but three. Alter this I made a list of 
those I thought I could get easily, and did succeed 
in getting them nearly all. I then proceeded to 
canvass the balance. I think I can get fifty more 
orders in Lyons yet. ***** 

N. E. CADY. 



Logansport, Ind. 
Gentlemen:— Outfit "Science of a New Life" 
received. Been to work one and a half days, and 
have done extremely well. Enclosed please find or- 
der No. 1 with draft in your favor of $56.30 curren- 
cy, amount of bill. Respectfully, 

P. E. KESSLER. 

Alliance, Ohio. 
Gentlemen : — It is now one week since I received 
the sample copy and subscription book of " The 
Science of a New Life." * « * * f have read it care- 
fully, and pronounce it the best work I have ever 
read upon the subject it treats of, and as above 
stated, although having but little time, have met 
with good success as far as I have prosecuted the 
work. I have now sixteen subscribers for the work 
in cloth and three in leather. 

Very respectfully yours, 

G. D. HESTER. 

Sirs : — I have six new subscribers since my last 
order for 24. Books all dehvered. I have heard 
some to whom I sold the book say, that no money 
w»uld induce them to part with it. 

P A. WILCOX. 



We have scores of letters on file containing extracts like the above, in praise of the 
good-selling qualities of this book, and to any person desiring an agency, who can conve- 
niently call at our office, we will take great pleasure in allowing them to read them. 



THE SCIENCE OF A NEW^ LIFE. 

Noted men and women who have endorsed the principles it contains. Copies of the original eignaturea 
will be found on the three following pages. 

SKi^ Please remember that these signatures, as well, in fact, as all the endorsements the book has 
received, have not been secured through favoritism or personal friendship, but entirely and altogether on the 
merits of the book. 



Rev. E. H. CHAPIN, D. D., Editor " Christian Leader," New York. 

GRACE GREENWOOD, Author and Lecturer. 

FRANCIS E. ABBOTT, Editor « Index," Boston, Mass. 

Rev. WM. R. ALGER, Author and Lecturer, Boston, Mass. 

«♦ JENNIE JUNE " CROLY, Ed. " Demorest's Magazine," New York. 

Rev. W. T. CLARK, " The Daily Graphic," New York. 

Rev. WARREN H. CUDWORTH, Boston. 

Rev. CHARLES P. DEEMS, D. D., Editor « Christian Age," Church 

of the Strangers. 
Judge J. W. EDMONDS, Ex-Chief Justice of the -Supreme Court, 

New York. 

Rev. O. B. FROTHINGHAM, New York. 
Mrs. FRANCES DANA GAGE, New York. 
WM. LLOYD GARRISON, Boston, Mass. 

Rev. GEORGE H. HEPWORTH, Church of the Disciples, New York. 
OLIVER JOHNSON, Managing Editor " Christian Union," New York. 
Dr. DIO LEWIS, Author and Lecturer, Boston, Mass. 
Mrs. CLEMENCE S. LOZIER, M. D., Dean of the New York Medi- 
cal College for Women. 
GERALD MASSEY, Poet and Lecturer, England. 
D. D. T. MOORE, Editor *' Rural New Yorker," New York. 
Rev. W. H. H. Murray, Boston, Mass. 
Hon. ROBERT DALE OWEN. 
JAMES PARTON, New York. 
WENDELL PHILLIPS, Boston, Mass. 
PARKER PILLSBURY. 

Rev. T. DE WITT TALMAGE, Editor « Christian at Work." 
THEODORE TILTON, Editor " Golden Age." 
MOSES COIT TYLER, Literary Editor " Christian Union." 
Mrs. CAROLINE M. SEVERANCE, West Newton, Mass. 
Hon. GERRIT SMITH. 

Mrs. ELIZABETH CADY STANTON, New York. 
Dr. H. B. STORER, Boston Mass. 



The ancients wore ever longing and searching for an Elixir Vilm— the Water of life— a draft of which 
would enable them to live forever. " The Science of a New Life " will unfold to you a better elixir 
than the ancients ever dreamed of in their wildest flights of imagination ; for, though it will not enable 
you to live forever, yet its pages contain information that, if heeded and obeyed, will endow you with such 
a measure of health, strength, purity of body and mind, and intense happiness, as to make you the envied 
of mankind— a man among men, a woman among women. 



^- 




. .1 >^ 





:„t1^v1 



I 



LAST WORDS 



After reading these pages, if you decide on an agency, as we hope you will, 
write us for our confidential terras to agents, and mention the territory you 
wish. We give exclusive territory to all of our agents, 



If you are not in a position to make canvassing your business, you may 
be so situated that you can canvass part of every day, or occasionally. If 
so, it will pay you to take an agency, and to send for our confidential terms. 
We have many agents who are clerks, etc., in country stores and offices, who 
do remarkably well in taking orders, and that without interfering with their 
ordinary duties. ^^^^^^ 

If you cannot act as agent for us, we would take it as a special favor if 
you would hand this circular to some farmer, student, teacher, soldier, clergy- 
man, or some honest, intelligent person who you think will be willing to accept 
an agency. 

If you are not in a position to take an agency, or do not feel yourself 
competent as a canvasser, we hope that you will send for a copy for your own 
use, or when you wish to make a present of real value to some friend. We 
know you will be thoroughly pleased with your investment. 



We have many orders to send single books C. 0. D. It does not pay to 
do so, for when collection and express charges are added, it makes the book 
cost the purchaser nearly and sometimes over $4, whereas we will send it by 
mail or express, charges paid, on receipt of $3 ; and when the money is regis- 
tered, or sent by P. 0. money order, there is absolutely no risk. 



Think for yourself. Make up your mind that you will give canvassing 
for " The Science of a New Life " a fair trial. If you venture nothing, you will 
never have the opportunity of gaining something. None but active, energetic, 
wide-awake men ever make fortunes. The business takes but a small capital. 
If you have not got it, borrow it from a friend ; you will soon be in a position 
to return it. To every one is given the opportunity to make a mark in this 
world. This may be your opportunity. Do not let it slip past you. 



Delays are dangerous. A procrastinating habit is the cause of many hfe 
failures. Don't put off. *Don't wait. Act promptly, and we can assure you 
that with a copy of " The Science of a New Life " in your hands, either as one 
of our agents, or as a "high private," you will have taken a step in the right 
direction, and success will come to you as sure as day follows night. 

COWAN & CO., Publishers, 

139 EIGHTH STREET, New York. 



Good Books Mailed on Keceipt of Price. 



The Housewife's Treasure.— A inanual of information of every thins tbat relates to 
Lousebold economies. It gives tlie methol of making Jackson's Universal Washing Compound, which 
will clean the dirtiest cotton, linen or woolen cloths in twentj- minutes without rubbing or harming the 
material. This receipt is being constantly peddled through the country at $5 each, and is certainly worth it. 
It also tells all about soap-making at home, so as to make it cost about one-quarter of what bar-soap costs ; 
it tells how to make candles by moulding or dipping; it gives seven metliods for destroying rats and 
mice ; how to make healthy bread without flour (something entirely new) ; to preserve clothes and fur.i 
from moths ; a sure plan of destroying house flies, cockroaches, beetles, ants, bed-bugs and fleas ; all 
about house-cleaning, papering, etc., etc., and hundreds of other valuable hints just such as housekeepers 
are wanting to know. Mailed for 30 cents. 

Secrets for Farmers.— This book tells how to restore rancid butter to its original 
flavor and purity ; a new way of coloring butter ; how largely to inci-ease the milk of cows ; a sure cure 
for kicking cows; how to make Thorley's celebrated condimental food for cattle ; how to make hens lay 
every day in the year ; it gives an effectual remedy for the Canada thistle ; to save mice girded trees ; a 
certain plan to destroy the curculo and peach borer ; how to convert dead animals and bones into manure ; 
Barnet's certain preventive for the potato rot, worth $50 to any farmer ; remedy for smut in wheat ; to cure 
blight in fruit-trees; to destroy the potato bug; to prevent mildew and rust in wheat ; to destroy the cut 
worm ; home-made stump machine, as good as any sold ; to keep cellars from freezing, etc., etc. It is im- 
possible to give the full contents of this very valuable book here, space will not allow. It will be mailed 
for 30 cents. 

^Preserving and Manufacturing Seci'ets.— This book gives jilain directions for 

preserving, canning, and storing all kinds of fruits and vegetables, and for manufacturing all kinds 
of foreign and domestic liquors, home-made wines and summer beverages. It gives a new, simple 
and cheap plan of preserving eggs fresh for five years (rf necessary), so that when opened they will taste 
as if freshly laid This receipt alone has often been sold for $5. It tells housekeepers Dow to make all 
varieties of palatable and delicious fruit jellies and jams. It shows how to make a fruity and sweet-tasting 
cider without apples that when bottled will foam and effervesce like genuine champagne. It tells how to 
keep fruit and vegetables fresh uU the year round. All about pickling. How to make all kinds of liquors 
at home at a trifling expense, and which cannot be told from that sold at $5 to $10 a gallon, etc., etc. 
Mailed for only 60 cent". 

The Lover's Companion.— A booli no lover shonld be without. It gives Handker- 
chief, Parasol, Glove and Fan Flirtations; also. Window and Dining-table Signalling; The Language of 
Flowers ; How to kiss deliciously ; Love Letters, and how to wiite them, with specimens ; Bashfulness and 
Timidity, and how to overcome them, etc., etc. Mailed for 25 cents. 

JMLagic Trick Cards. — Used by Magicians for performing Wonderful Tricks. Every boy 
a magician ! Everyman a conjurer! Every girl a witch! Every one astonished I They are the most 
superior Trick Cards ever offered for sale, and with them you can perform some of the moat remarkable 
illusions ever discovered. Mailed, with full directions, for 25 cents a pack. 

The Black Art Fully Exposed and Laid Bare, — This book contains some of the 

most marvellous things in ancient and modern magic, jugglery, etc., ever printed, and has to be seen to 
be fully appreciated. SulSce it io say that any boy knowing the secrets it contains will be able to do 
things that will astonish all. Illustrated. Mailed for 25 cents. 

The Magic Dial. — A perfectly new invention, by the use of which secret correspondence 
may be carried on without the fear of detection. It is simple, reliable, and can be used by any person. 
IJy its use the postal card is made as private as a sealed letter. It is just the thing lor lovers. Mailed 
for 25 cents, or two for 40 cents. 

How to Entertain a Social Party.— A Collection of Tableaux, Games, Amusing 
Experimjnts, Diversions, Card Tricks, Parlor Magic, Philosophical Recreations, etc. Profusely Illustrated^ 
This book contains chaste and enjoyable amusement and entertainment enough for a whole winter. 
Mailed for 25 cents. 

Educating the Horse. — A new and improved system of educating tlie horse Also a 
treatise on shoeing, with new and valuable receipts for diseases of horses, together with the Rules of the 
Union Course. This book contams matter not to be found in any other work on the horse. Mailed for 25 
cents 

Swimming and Skating.— A complete Guide for learners. Every reader should possess 
this book so as to learn how to swim. Jlany a young life has been nipped in the bud, many a home 
made desolate for the want of knowing how to swim. Very fully illustrated. Mailed for 20 cents. 

Singing Made Easy.— Explaining the pure Italian method of producing and cultivating 
the Voice, the Management of the Breath, the best way of Improving the Ear, and much valuable in- 
formation, equally useful to professional singers and amateurs. Mailed for 20 cnts. 

Shadow Pantomime of Mother Goose.— A miniature theatre for the children, with 
stage, scenery, figures, and everything complete to perform the laughable Shadow Pantomime of Mother 
Goose. A book of explanations, with 14 engravings, accompanies it. Mailed for 30 cents. 

The Amateur's Guide to Magic and Mystery. — An entirely new work, containing 
full and ample instructions on the Mysteries of iMagic, Sleight-of-Hand Tricks, Card Tricks, etc. The 
best work on Conjuring for Amateurs published. Illustrated. Mailed for 25 cents. 

The Happy Home Songster. — A casket of time-honored vocal gems. Only favorite 
and world-wide known songs are admitted in this and following book. Mailed for 20 cents. 

The Fireside Songster.— A collection of the best-known sentimental, humorous, and 
comic songs. Mailed for 20 cents. 

Address FRANK M. REED, 

139 Eig:litU Street, "Sew York. 



TWO GREAT BOOKS. 



OLD SECRETS AND NEW DISCOVERIES : 

Containing Information of Rare Value for all Classes, in all Conditions 

of Society. 

It tells all about Electrical Psychology, showing Low you can biologize any person, and while under the 
influence he will do any thing you may wish him, no matter how ridiculous it may be, and he cannot help 
doing it i also, how to mesmerize— a, secret that has been sold over and over again for $10 ; how to make a 
person at a distance think of you, and how to charm those you meet and make them love you, whether they 
will or not. 

It tells how to make the wonderful Magic or Invisible Photographs and Spirit Pictures; the Eggs of 
Pharo's Serpents, which when lighted, though but the size of a pea, there issues from it a coiling serpent ; 
how to perform the Davenport Brothers' "Spirit Mysteries"; how to copy any kind of drawing or picture, 
and more wonderful still, to print pictures from the print itself ; how to make gold and sil\ er from block- 
tin (the least said about which, the better) ; also, Low to take impressions from coins, and how to imitate 
gold and silver. 

It tells how to make a horse appear ag though ho was badly foundered ; to make a horse tem- 
porarily lame ; how to make him stand by Ins food and not eat it ; how tO cure a horse from the crib or suck- 
ing wind ; how to put a young countenance on the horse ; how to cover up the heaves ; how to make him 
appear as if he had the glanders ; liow to make a Irue-puUing horse baulk; how to nerve a horse that is 
lame, et«., etc. These horse secrets are being continuaUy sold ut one dollar each. 

It tells how to make a cheap Galvanic Battery ; how to plate and gild without a battery ; how to make 
a candle burn all night; how to make a clock for 25 cents; how to detect counterfeit money; how to 
iDanish and prevent mosquitoes from biting ; how to make yellow butter in winter ; Circassian curling 
fluid; Sympathetic or Secret Writing Ink; Cologne Water; Artificial honey ; Stammering; how to make 
large noses small ; to cure drunkenness ; to copy letters witliout a press : to obtain fresh blown flowers 
in winter ; to maAse a good burning candle from lard ; and scores of other wonderful things for which there 
is no room to mention. " Old Secrets and New lUscoveries " ia worth $5 to any person, but it will be mailed 
to any addresa on receipt of only 50 cents. 



HEALTH HINTS. 

A new book showing how to Acquire and Retain Bodily Symmetry, Health, Vigor, and Beauty. Its con- 
tents are as follows : Laws of Beauty— Air, Sunshine, Water, and Food— Work and Rest— Dress and Orna- 
ment—The Hair and its Management — Skiu and Complexion - the Mouth— The Eyes, Ears and Nose - 
The Neck, Hands, and Feet— Growth aud Marks that are Enemies of Beauty— Cosmetics and Perfumery. 

Fat People.— It gives ample rules how Corpulency may be Cured— the Eat made Lean, Comely and 
Active. 

liean People.— It also gives directions, the following of which will enable Lean, Angular, Bony 
or Sharp Visaged People, to be Plump and Rosy Skinned. 

Ciray H^ir.— It tells how Gray Hair may be Restored to its natural color without the aid of Dyes, 
Restorers, or Pomades. 

Baldness.— It gives ample directions for Restoring Hair on Bald Heads, as well as how to stop 
Falling of the Hair, how to Curl the Hair, etc. 

Beard and ITIustacbc.— It tells what Young Men should do to acquire a Fine Silky and Handsome 
Beard and Mustache. 

Freckles and Pimples.— It gives full directions for the Cure of Sunburn, Freckles, Pimples, 
Wrinkles, Warts, etc., so that they can be entirely removed. 

Cosmctics.-This chapter, amon? other things, gives an Analysis of Perry's Moth and Freckle 
Lotion, Balm of White Lilies, Hagan's Magnolia Balm, Laird's Bloom of Youth, Pbalon s Enamel, Clark s 
Restorative for the Hair, Chevalier's Life for the Hair, Ayer's Hair Vigor, Professor Wood s Hair Restor- 
ative, Hair Restorer America, Grav's Hair Restorative, Phnlon's Vitalia, Ring's Vegetable Ambrosia, Mrs. 
Allen's World's Hair Restorer, Hull's Vegetable Sicilian Hair Renewer, Martha Washington Hair Restor- 
ative, etc., etc. (no room for more), showing how the lead, etc., in these mixtures cause disease and often- 
times premature death. Mailed for 50 cents! 

FRANK M. REED, 

139 EIGHTH STREET, NETT TOKK. 




•m^' 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



.^«££jj^»Kl|2 




